re: Ann: Malida-1 Exploration Well - Drilling... A little...

re: Ann: Malida-1 Exploration Well - Drilling... A little information on our partner, Mubadala (also holding SWE, so their interest in East African was of additional interest to me)....





Mubadala Petroleum, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Abu Dhabi investment vehicle Mubadala, is looking to push ahead with overseas projects in Thailand and Indonesia and is aiming to start exploration work in Tanzania by the end of 2013, its CEO said.
"The East African margin is clearly an attractive exploration province,” Maurizio La Noce said of Mubadala Petroleum’s offshore work in Tanzania with UK-based partner Ophir.
“There have been a number of significant gas discoveries made, which point to a highly prospective basin. In Block 7 in Tanzania, having shot a large 3D seismic survey in 2010 and additional 2D seismic last year, we expect to spud our first exploration well before the end of this year.
“We are also looking at other opportunities in the region, driven by the exploration pillar of our strategy and also our mandate to seek out projects supporting delivery of additional gas supplies to the UAE. East Africa holds significant potential from both these aspects. We are excited about growing our presence in the region and working in this emerging basin,” he added.

La Noce said the company was looking to use its experience in the Gulf of Thailand as a springboard to win more work in Asia.
“Projects like Nong Yao (Gulf of Thailand), which is our most recent development to be sanctioned, demonstrate our growing operational capability. Indeed, this project is drawing on our experience in operating Jasmine, a highly successful field also in the Gulf of Thailand where we will shortly produce our 50 millionth barrel - five times what was expected when the project was sanctioned, as well as the Manora and Ruby fields that are also being developed in South East Asia.
“We believe we can offer strong partnerships, both with governments and commercial partners, alongside technical and operational capability and a record of project delivery."
The company recently won approval for the development of an oilfield development project off the coast of Thailand, with partners Kris Energy.
In the coming weeks, the Abu Dhabi firm also aims to start production at its Ruby gas field in Indonesia.
"The construction, installation and commissioning of the new facilities and associated pipeline infrastructure have gone very much to plan... It enabled us to build stronger partnerships locally, based on a visible commitment to contributing to local priorities. We see this as an important base from which we can seek out other opportunities in Indonesia," he added.