BP Makes Fourteenth Oil Discovery in the Ultra-Deep Water Block 31 Angola

Sonangol and BP Exploration (Angola) Limited announced the 'Cordelia' oil discovery in ultra-deepwater Block 31, offshore Angola. Cordelia is the fourteenth discovery that BP has drilled in Block 31. The well is located approximately 3.5 kilometres to the south-east of the recently announced Miranda discovery.

Cordelia was drilled by the Jack Ryan drill ship, in a water depth of 2,308 metres, some 371 kilometres north west of Luanda and reached a total depth of 4040 metres TVD below sea level. The well was tested at an operationally restricted flow rate of 2,063 standard barrels of oil a day (stb/d) through a 20/64 inch choke.

Sonangol is the concessionaire of Block 31. BP Exploration (Angola) Limited as operator holds 26.67 percent. The other interest owners in Block 31 are Esso Exploration and Production Angola (Block 31) Limited (25 percent), Sonangol E.P. (20 percent), Statoil Angola A.S. (13.33 percent), Marathon International Petroleum Angola Block 31 Limited (10 percent) and TEPA (BLOCK 31) LIMITED, (a subsidiary of the Total Group) with 5 percent.