CNOOC Spuds Boghal-1 Well At Block 9 On Anza Basin In Kenya

Published: 28-Oct-2009

CNOOC Limited (CNOOC) has commenced drilling on Boghal-1 well at Block 9 on Anza Basin in Kenya on October 28, 2009, Reuters reported. The well is the deepest yet in a Kenya that has searched in vain for commercial oil and gas deposits for decades. Boghal-1 would eventually reach a depth of 5,556 meters and would pass through two possible hydrocarbon horizons at 3,000 and 5,000 meters.

Kenyan Energy Minister Kiraitu Murungi said "Kenya has set out its industrialisation agenda ... to expand her energy sector to reach at least 10,000 MW by 2030."

In Anza basin, ten wells have been drilled so far to a maximum depth of 3,000 meters.

"Boghal-1 is expected to yield many times more data (for) future exploration work than has been obtained from any other oil wells so far drilled in the country," Murungi said, adding that Kenyans should not get excited too soon.

"It will take CNOOC not less than six months before results from the well are known ... I therefore appeal for patience."

CNOOC in April 2006 signed a production sharing agreement for Block L2 of Kenya's offshore Lamu basin.

"We will work closely with our colleagues to realise a win-win cooperation ... functioning as a bridge between these two great countries," CNOOC Executive Director Wu Guangqi said.

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