02 November 2014, Dar es Salaam – SWALA Energy has announced that its seismic survey being carried out in the Kilombero Basin has provided the first evidence of multiple structures – a “string of pearls”- along the western basin boundary.
“These early results of the Kilombero seismic survey are particularly exciting and the similarities with the Lokichar Basin are extremely encouraging given the enormous success that has been achieved there to date,” said David Mestres Ridge, Swala’s CEO.
“The seismic survey has so far identified five possible structures in addition to the Kito Prospect and we believe further dip lines will cement these into firm drilling candidates and that the extension of Line 101 further north will result in more structures being identified.”
The first line of the current seismic survey acquired in the Kilombero Basin, Line 101, extends along the strike of the main bounding fault. Initial interpretation of the data suggests the presence of four new structures, each being 5-10-kilometre long.
At the northern end of Line 101, just beyond the Kito Prospect, the data show that one of the identified reservoir horizons is rising, potentially indicating the presence of another structural closure. Swala has a 29.2 per cent net interest in the Kilosa-Kilombero licence in central Tanzania.
Otto Energy has a 50 per cent participating interest in the Kilosa-Kilombero licence. The Kilombero structures are interpreted as roll-over anticlines against the major north-south fault on the western side of the basin (and lying behind the section shown).
These anticlines are of similar structural style to those in the Lokichar Basin, many of which are now discoveries, such as Ngamia-1 and Twiga South-1.
The seismic survey will now acquire a series of infill dip seismic lines across the structures to test the extent to which they extend into the basin. The survey will extend to the eastern and northern sides of the basin to determine any further structural leads and this will be followed by further dip lines over any leads.
Swala expects the survey will be completed by the end of the year after which the results will be interpreted in order to select one or more targets for a 2015 drilling programme.
The seismic survey was planned after the 2013 seismic survey suggested structural similarities between the Kilombero Basin and the Lokichar Basin in Kenya, where Tullow Oil and Africa Oil have made a significant number of discoveries.
The 2013 seismic survey also identified the Kito Prospect. Swala believes that the Kito Prospect could contain P50 Best Estimate contingent resources of 60.4mmbbls net to Swala Tanzania (35.3mmbbls net to Swala).
*Masembe Tambwe – Tanzania Daily News
