Kosmos, BP Mauritania Well is Dry

US independent Kosmos' run of success with the drill-bit ended late October 30, when its Hippocampe-1 exploration well in Mauritania's offshore block C-8 turned out dry.

Drilled to a total depth of 5,500 metres, it found "well-developed reservoirs... in both exploration targets but these proved to be water-bearing."  

It is disappointing for Kosmos and partner BP's quest to find more oil to improve the economics of its Mauritania/Senegal gas and LNG development plans. However it follows a succession of oil and gas discoveries in the region. The duo plan a 2018 final investment decision on a floating LNG project. 

CEO Andrew Inglis said: “Following on from our Yaakar discovery earlier this year, Hippocampe-1 is the second of four tests of independent prospects located in the outboard basin floor fan fairways in our Mauritania and Senegal acreage. Although the well did not encounter oil or gas, it has, together with Yaakar, confirmed the presence of quality cretaceous reservoir in the outboard basin floor fans, which contain multiple leads and prospects, more than 200 km from the north to south through our blocks. We are still in the early stages of opening this newly emerging basin and our forward drilling program remains unchanged given the independent nature of the prospect tests, in particular with regard to charge.”

The Ensco DS 12 drillship will now proceed as planned to Block C-12 offshore Mauritania to test the independent Lamantin oil prospect, some 80 km offshore and 180 km northeast of Hippocampe in 2,185 metres of water.

Kosmos is the exploration operator of Block C-8 with 28% equity; partners are BP 62% and Mauritanian state SMHPM 10%.

Mark Smedley