Operations
Uganda project
Survey results
A first programme of seismic acquisition was completed by early 2008. Seismic processing and interpretation confirmed the structural features identified by earlier gravity interpretation which looked similar to structures where significant discoveries had been made in EA1 and EA2. There were also amplitude anomalies which are often consistent with the presence of oil and gas. On this basis, the Company entered the Second two-year Exploration Period, lasting until March 2010 as sole Licensee. The commitments for this phase of exploration were two firm wells and one contingent well.
The seismic processing revealed that the Miocene sediments in EA5 had only a maximum thickness of 1500 metres, which is marginal for the generation of hydrocarbons. The regional coverage of seismic was restricted by the presence of the River Nile and adjacent swamps covering the eastern area of the Licence where deeper sediments might be expected adjacent to the rift-bounding escarpment. There is also evidence from the seismic that sediments in EA5 had been more than 500 metres deeper when source rocks were being deposited. Amplitude anomalies are widespread and AVO analyses also indicated that hydrocarbons may be present. The subsequent GGI has confirmed much deeper sediments beyond the limits of existing seismic.
Initial geochemistry field surveys and independent analysis were completed in EA5 by mid 2008 and confirmed that there is almost certainly an active, mature hydrocarbon source and migration process taking place. Moreover, the samples taken have similar characteristics to and possibly greater maturity than surface seeps and produced oil present in other areas of the Albertine Graben. Collection and analysis of additional samples from both wells and a wide variety of additional micro seep locations within the Licence area, supported the earlier results. A high density and sensitivity geochemical survey, conducted by GORE Geochemical Surveys, has been completed over the prospective area for the third well, together with focussed sampling around the two existing wells and an oil-bearing well in EA1. This interpreted data will be available by end-June 2011 and may be invaluable in ranking potential structures defined by the new seismic data, interpretation of which should be available at the same time. Continued
