Senegal's offshore oil plans inch ahead
Cairn seeks to manage expectations, as reserve estimates grow
Cairn Energy is pushing on with exploration and appraisal around its existing Senegalese offshore oil finds, as it seeks to move ahead with what could be one of the largest frontier oil developments of the next few years. The explorer says it doesn't want to fall into the trap of promising an overly ambitious schedule to a government eager to see early returns from the project, but the low prevailing drilling costs still make rapid progress attractive. A third phase of exploration drilling got underway in early 2017, using the Stena DrillMax rig, with two appraisal wells planned and several further ones possible, including on new exploration prospects. The first of the appraisal wells, SNE-5
Also in this section
2 December 2024
Crucial role of gas means country is laying the foundations to control physical and trading supply chains
30 November 2024
Decades of turmoil have left Iraq’s vast energy potential underutilised, but renewed investment and strategic reforms are transforming it into a key player in the region
29 November 2024
Although Iraq remains a major crude exporter, it is still some way from becoming a regional energy supply hub. Ambitious new cross-border schemes aim to rectify that situation
29 November 2024
There are opportunities for attractive returns and greater project success amid a real push by the Iraqi government for reform, as long as there is a shared understanding between the needs of investors and the host government
