Malaysian Petronas embarks on oil project in Sudan

Dec 13, 2005 (KUALA LUMPUR) — WHITE Nile (5B) Petroleum Operating Co Ltd (WNPOC), the operator for onshore Block 5B in Sudan, in which Petronas has a stake, will embark on an exploration and drilling campaign programme for the block starting early next year.

The programme includes the acquisition of 1,100 line km of 2D seismic data in the first half of next year, building of necessary infrastructures to support drilling operations, and drilling of up to three exploration wells commencing late 2006.

In a joint statement, consortium members said WNPOC will also embark on a community development programme in the concession area, focusing on providing clean water, education, basic healthcare and humanitarian aid to the local population.

According to the statement, the consortium members last week met and briefed Sudan Minister of Energy and Mining Dr Awad Ahmed El Jazz on the proposed programme, which has received full support from the ministry.

Rights to the concession of Block 5B were awarded under an exploration and production-sharing agreement signed on May 2 2001 to a consortium composed of Petronas Carigali White Nile (5B) Ltd (39 per cent), Lundin Block 5B BV (24.5 per cent), ONGC Videsh Ltd (23.5 per cent) and Sudapet (13 per cent).

WNPOC, a joint operating company between Petronas Carigali and Sudapet, operates the block on behalf of the consortium members. WNPOC is also the operator for Block 5A and Block 8, onshore Sudan.

Block 5B is located in the Muglad Basin and covers an area of 20,119sq km. Muglad is the main oil-producing basin in Sudan and has seen development of several large oil fields over the past few years.

So far, the consortium has been active in reprocessing and reinterpreting existing seismic data.

Following the signing of the comprehensive peace agreement, WNPOC has conducted scouting trips into the block in preparation for the 2006 seismic and drilling operations.

(Business Times)