West Africa focused oil and gas exploration group Bowleven (LON:BLVN) has commenced drilling operations on the Sapele-1 exploration well on block MLHP-5 in Cameroon, marking the beginning of its exploration campaign in the Douala basin.
The targets of Sapele-1 are a series of stacked reservoir objectives, from the proven Miocene fairway down to the deeper Cretaceous fairway that is prolific elsewhere West Africa.
The well will be drilled to an estimated target depth of about 4,450 metres, which is expected to take from 70 to 80 days.
The company said that the well will intersect multiple independent exploration targets in both the Miocene and Cretaceous from a single location, which would have “significant implications” for the wider potential of the acreage.
“The Douala Basin is an emerging hydrocarbon bearing province and Bowleven's Cameroon acreage is well positioned to access this opportunity,” commented chief executive of Bowleven, Kevin Hart.