Operations in Africa
In Africa, Firstdrill has completed offshore projects in West Africa and notably has recently successfully completed a groundbreaking offshore project in Namibia.
Firstdrill has recently completed the total project management for the deepwater exploration well, Kunene-1, in Block 1711, offshore Namibia, West Africa. Firstdrill was contracted by the operator Sintezneftegaz Namibia Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sintezneftegaz, the Russian oil and gas company.
Firstdrill's total project management for the Kunene-1 well included well design and execution of the drilling program through to the final end of well reports. Firstdrill also acted on Sintezneftegaz's behalf as the intermediary between client and service companies to ensure efficient and successful operations. All pre-engineering was conducted by the Firstdrill team in addition to supporting operations and conducting contract and procurement services.
The Kunene-1 well was drilled to a depth in excess of 5,000 metres below sea level using the Deep Venture drillship in water depths of approximately 780 metres. This was the first exploration well on Block 1711 in deepwater and a remote location. The results of the well are serving their purpose of greatly assisting in the understanding and evaluation of other prospects and leads in the ongoing exploration programme for the Block.
Block 1711 is located in the Namibe Basin, off the northern coast of Namibia. The 8,931 sq km Block contains the Kunene and Hartmann prospects, along with a number of other prospects.
