Geology
- The Coastal Basin in Mauritania is a Triassic to Jurassic rift basin overlain by a large Jurassic to Tertiary post-rift sag basin.
- During the Miocene, a major delta system deposited channel sands, which form the main prospective play. Most discoveries to date have been in these sands.
- There is also potential for older (Cretaceous) reservoirs, with discoveries at Pelican-1 (PSC Block 7), Faucon-1 (PSC Block 1) and the deeper section of Tevet-2 (PSC B).
Permit size
Petronas and Tullow operated areas (including Chinguetti EEA): 19,400km2
Dana-operated areas: 9,304km2
History
- In April 2000 ROC acquired an option over the shares of Elixir Corporation Pty Ltd which held interests ranging from 2% to 2.7% in all of the licenced acreage offshore Mauritania.
- The first well drilled in Mauritania after acquiring the Elixir option discovered the Chinguetti Oil Field. Following the discovery, ROC exercised its option to acquire all of Elixir’s shares, effective 30 June 2001.
- Through a variety of different transactions, ROC subsequently increased its equity and it now holds interests ranging from 2.0% to 5.49% in licenced acreage offshore Mauritania. Block 8 was surrendered in January 2009.
- Successful exploration and appraisal drilling programmes have been carried out from 2001 to 2010.
- In 2006 production commenced at the Chinguetti Oil Field.
- Effective 1 January 2011, ROC sold all its interests offshore Mauritania to wholly owned subsidiaries of Tullow Oil plc, subject to all relevant joint venture waivers and approvals and all necessary government approvals. Progress continues to complete the transaction.
JV participants and interests
ROC holds 2.0% to 5.49% in seven areas, operated by Petronas, Tullow and Dana.
Click here for detail