MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Total has made a significant gas condensate discovery about 175 kilometres off Mossel Bay at its Brulpadda well in the Outeniqua basin, which it estimates could yield one billion barrels of light liquid hydrocarbon.
In a statement on Thursday, 7 February, Total said its Brulpadda well encountered 57 metres of net gas condensate pay in lower cretaceous reservoirs.
The well was deepened to a final depth of 3 633 metres and has also been successful in the Brulpadda-deep prospect.
"We are very pleased to announce the Brulpadda discovery which was drilled in a challenging Deepwater environment," said Kevin McLachlan, senior vice president of exploration at Total. "Total is well positioned to test several follow-on prospects on the same block."
Mere days prior to the announcement, Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe visited the Total Exploration & Production Southern Africa's Deep Sea Stavenger Rig operations. He has since hailed the discovery as a boost for the South African economy.
Bloomberg reported that at about one billion barrels, SA's first deep-water discovery could be enough to supply SA refineries for almost four years, according to Total CEO Patrick Pouyanné.
Western Cape MEC of Economic Opportunities, Minister Beverley Schäfer said the Western Cape Government recognised the importance of natural gas in developing the economy, stimulating investment and contributing to industrialisation and job creation opportunities in the province. Wesgro CEO Tim Harris has welcomed the announcement, saying it would be a significant boost to the Western Cape and South African economy.
"Wesgro, in line with Project Khulisa, has a portfolio manager dedicated to facilitate investment into the oil, gas and manufacturing sectors and we will be ready to assist in landing this major investment and helping to remove red tape in doing so."
3D seismic
Following the success of Brulpadda and confirmation of its potential, Total and its partners said that they planned to acquire a 3D seismic this year, followed by up to four exploration wells on its licence.
The Brulpadda well covers an area of 19 000 square kilometres, with water depths ranging from 200 to 1 800 metress, and is operated by Total with a 45% working interest, alongside Qatar Petroleum (25%), CNR international (20%) and Main Street, a South African consortium (10%).
Read a previous article here: Significant gas find at Total's Brulpadda well
'We bring you the latest Mossel Bay, Garden Route news'
