13. Deepwater Cape Three Points West Offshore
Contract Parties
Eco Atlantic (Operator), A-Z Petroleum, Petrogulf Limited, GNPC EXPLORCO, GNPC
Effective Date/Initial Exploration Period
Effective Date: March 22, 2015
Initial Exploration Period (2.5 years): March 22, 2015 – September 21, 2017
Minimum Exploration Program (Initial Phase)
-
License and reprocess existing 850sqkm of 3D seismic data relating to the Contract Area
- Reprocess 850sqkm 3D seismic data
-
Drill one (1) Exploration Well
Minimum Expenditure
$65,000,000
The contractor commenced reprocessing of existing seismic data. No drilling has still been made.
Conflicts between parties was resolved, with readmission of A-Z into the block. Contractor commenced planning to drill its first exploration well, the Dawadawa-1X in Q3 2020.
Contractor’s work programme for 2021 requires drilling of at least one exploratory well. Tender processes for a rig and other long lead items commenced. Contractor has informed the Commission of its intention to postpone drilling activities due to COVID-19
In 2020, the contractor submitted plans and gave the indication of commencing the process of rig tendering, tangibles contracts, and support services contracts for its exploration drilling. These plans were however suspended on account of the pandemic. The Minister for Energy granted Eco Atlantic a restitution time of eight (8) months to compensate for the time lost due to the pandemic.
In 2021, the contractors resumed plans towards drilling its obligatory exploration well, Dawadawa-1X in Q2 2022, with well planning and drilling related procurements.
The operator’s drilling campaign for its obligatory well, Dawadawa-1X, is scheduled for Q4 2022 after being postponed from an earlier schedule of Q2 2022.
However, the 2022 Annual Report of PIAC reveals that Eco Atlantic continued well planning and procuring drilling-related goods and services and now expects to drill its obligatory exploration well, Dawadawa-1X, in Q2 2023, even though it had earlier been scheduled for Q4 2022.
Eco Atlantic has reportedly continued with well planning and the procurement of drilling-related goods and services in preparation for drilling its obligatory exploration well, Dawadawa-1X. This follows previous rescheduling of the drilling operations, initially set for Q4 2022, then moved to Q2 2023, and subsequently to Q4 2023.
The contractor is reportedly active in the rig market, seeking to procure a drilling unit to meet its well commitment.