brr now, page-5

· Block 15 (Open): Block 15 was previously operated by ExxonMobil and is the northernmost deepwater exploration licence offshore mainland Angola. ExxonMobil made numerous oil discoveries, including Kissanje, Dikanza, Marimba, Hungo, Chocalho Saxi, Mondo and Batuque. These will be exploited by a three project development known as Kizomba A, B and C. All are located in water depths of 1,000 to 1,300 metres. ExxonMobil also made the Xikomba discovery on the northern half of the block and has exploited this via a stand alone FPSO scheme.


· Block 17 (Open): Block 17 was previously operated by Total and was the golden block of deepwater Angola. The first 15 exploration wells made 13 oil discoveries. All these fields lie in over 1,000 metres of water. Exploration during 2001 and 2002 focused on smaller prospects. Development of the Girassol field commenced in 1998 with first production in late 2001. Girassol uses subsea wells tied back to a large FPSO via three riser towers. The Dalia field was declared commercial in May 1999 with first oil planned for 2006. Project sanction for the Lirio and Rosa fields is expected to be agreed during 2003-4.

· Block 18 (Open): Block 18 was previously operated by BP and is a deepwater exploration licence located to the west of Block 5 and to the south of Total’s deepwater discoveries on Block 17. The first six exploration wells were oil discoveries. Five of these are candidates to be developed as the Greater Plutonio project.


· Block 6 (Open): Block 6 was first licensed to Total in 1980. Four exploration wells were drilled of which one, Cegonha, made a heavy oil find. The company relinquished the block in 1984. Conoco signed a new licence in 1991 and relinquished in 1994 after four unsuccessful wells

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Total And Petrobras Granted Offshore Blocks 17 & 18, May 2006

In May 2006 Angola offered Total and Petrobras controlling stakes in the remaining parts of Angola’s deepwater Blocks 17 and 18. Both blocks attracted signature bonuses of $1.1 billion each.

Total was offered a 40% operatorship of Block 17. Sinopec got 27.5% non-operating interest in Block 17. Local firms Falcon Oil and Angolan E&P Co. got 5% each and Portugal’s Partex got 2.5%.

Block 18:

In Block 18, Petrobras got a 30% controlling interest together with Sinopec, which got a 40% stake and Angolan independents Falcon and Gruppo Gema, with 5% each. Sonangol as concessionaire, will pay no exploration or production costs, and will hold a 20% carried interest in each of the blocks.

Block 15:

Earlier in May, Italian Eni gave $902 million for the relinquishment area of deepwater Block 15, which earned it a 35% operating stake alongside Sinopec with 20%, Sonangol and Total with 15% each, and Falcon, Statoil and Petrobras with 5% apiece.