Block OPL-320
Location: Niger Delta, Gulf of Guinea’s deep water, 150 kilometers
(90 miles) from the Nigerian coastline
Size: 1,790 km2 (442,300 acres)
Water depth: 2,000-2,500 meters (6,600-8,250 feet)
Contract: production sharing
Working interest: 36%
Operator: Oranto Petroleum; Kosmos Energy (technical operator)
Partners: Oranto Petroleum and Orandi Petroleum Limited with a combined working interest of 49%; Petronas Carigali Overseas Sdn Bhd, 15% working interest
Kosmos and its partners drilled the Echim-1 exploration well in 2,000 meters (6,600 feet) of water on Block OPL-320 in late 2007 after completing a 1,790-km2 3D seismic survey over the acreage in 2006. The well was a subcommercial oil discovery. Kosmos and its partners continue to evaluate the block’s potential; their objective is to confirm a second exploration opportunity. Kosmos has reached an agreement to farm out 15% of its original 51% working interest in the block to Petronas, subject to approval by the Nigerian government.