VAALCO Energy, Inc. says that the post-salt Kindele-1 well, its first exploration well on Block 5 offshore Angola, was drilled to a total vertical depth of approximately 1,829 meters. The objective reservoir, the Mucanzo sand formation in the Pinda Group section, was found to be water-bearing and the well is currently in the process of being plugged and abandoned.

Given the results of the well, earlier plans to drill to 2,250 meters for geologic and geophysical correlation will not be undertaken.

Steve Guidry, Chairman and CEO, commented, 'We are disappointed with the outcome of this first well drilled offshore Angola. The well targeted a three-way fault closure where the fault appears to have not provided the required lateral seal. The Mucanzo target sands were present and of a very high quality. We did find non-commercial hydrocarbon shows higher in the Pinda Group, in the overlying Catambela formation, indicating we were in a proven hydrocarbon system. Overall, we remain optimistic about the additional prospects and leads, both pre- and post-salt, on the block.'

Tags: VAALCO Energy