Ethiopia drilling update

The well intersected lacustrine and volcanic formations, similar to those found in the Shimela‑1 well on the north-western flank of the basin. Minor intervals with thermogenic gas shows were intersected just above basement. The well will be plugged and abandoned and drilling operations will now be demobilised whilst these results are integrated into the regional basin model.

Meanwhile seismic interpretation continues on independent prospectivity elsewhere in the licence and the next phase of our Ethiopia exploration campaign will target these prospects.

Commenting today, Angus McCoss, Exploration Director, said:

“We have now drilled two independent wildcat wells in the Chew Bahir Basin, neither of which encountered commercial oil. Whilst our analysis continues, initial indications suggest that the targeted seismic anomalies related to lavas that flowed into a lake basin. Having gained valuable data, including evidence of thermogenic gas, we look forward to the next phase of our exploration campaign in Ethiopia.”