Page 14 - AfrOil Week 35 2021

AfrOil NEWS IN BRIEF AfrOil

UPSTREAM
Sound Energy awarded

extension to Anoual permits
onshore Morocco

Sound Energy, the Moroccan-focused upstream
gas company, reports a 12-month extension to
the initial period of the Anoual Exploration Per-
mits, onshore Morocco. well drilled in the Initial Period are not likely to significantly easier and cheaper and thus the sur-
The Anoual Permits cover 8,873 square km constitute a commercially exploitable discovery, vey can utilise a swath shot methodology. This
in Eastern Morocco and, following completion the Company will undertake further geological shooting methodology will in essence allow the
of the acquisition by the Company of the entire and geophysical studies but will not be required Company to double the seismic data coverage by
issued share capital of Schlumberger Silk Route to acquire this additional seismic. providing an effective line spacing of 800-900m
Services Limited as announced on August 31, Optional Second complimentary period of a and provide a high resolution subsurface dataset
2021, the Company holds an operated 75% inter- final two years and six months: A further single at minimal incremental cost.
est in the Anoual Permits, with the remaining exploration well with Triassic objective. The use of the STRYDE nodal system also
25% interest held by joint venture partner, L’Of- The Company clarifies that the commitment results in a lower environmental footprint as a
fice National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines to acquire FTG-aerogradiometry and 600 km of result in the reduction of vehicles and personnel
(ONHYM). 2D seismic during the Initial Period has already required to deploy the nodal system compared
Due to ongoing disruption caused by the been fulfilled and approved as such by ONHYM. to cable system.
impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, during Mohammed Seghiri, Sound Energy’s Chief The Company is also pleased to announce
which the Company has been in regular dia- Operating Officer, commented: “COVID 19 that the seismic data processing contract has
logue with the regulatory authorities, ONHYM travel restrictions have prevented us from mobi- been awarded to Earth Signal Processing Ltd,
has approved a 12-month extension to the ini- lising staff and contractors in order to prepare which is based in Canada, following a compet-
tial period as defined in the Petroleum Agree- for our next exploration well which will target itive tender process. Earth Signal are onshore
ment related to the Anoual Permits due to Force a TAGI petroleum system prospect in Anoual seismic and high resolution 2D data processing
Majeure in order for the Company to complete exploration permits. We thank ONHYM and the specialists and have worked extensively with our
the committed work programme. Subject to the Ministry of Energy for their strong and contin- seismic contractor Polaris and onshore Africa.
issuance of the Joint Arreté signed by the Minis- uing support. Hopefully, all the sanitary meas- Invictus Managing Director Scott Macmil-
ter in charge of Energy and Minister in charge of ures (vaccination campaigns, border control, lan commented: “The Company is pleased to be
Finance, the length of the initial period defined etc.) already put in both the UK and Morocco commencing the seismic data acquisition in the
under the Petroleum Agreement, which was pre- will help to avoid new delays. We, as Sound coming days and the preparation for this cam-
viously successfully re-negotiated as announced Energy, are eager to make a new discovery and paign has gone well and all the equipment and
by the Company on July 6, 2020, will now be five thus unlock the multi Tcf exploration potential personnel heading to the field. We are extremely
years and four months, commencing September of Eastern Morocco basin.” pleased with the performance of Polaris and the
8, 2017. The work programme commitments for Sound Energy, September 1 2021 local field crew who have completed 400-km
the Initial Period remain unchanged. The length line clearing ahead the data acquisition which
of the first complimentary period, which would Invictus provides update will ensure that the campaign is completed
commence upon the successful completion seamlessly.
of the now extended Initial Period, is one year on Cabora Bassa project “We are also very pleased to launch the next
and two months and the second complimentary phase of our CSR programme in the Muzarabani
period remains unchanged at two years and six Invictus Energy has provided an update on the and Mbire Districts, focusing on the provision of
months. The work programmes for each of the activities of its 80% owned and operated Cabora water to the community as part of our ESG com-
complimentary periods remain unchanged. Bassa Project in Zimbabwe. mitments under our exploration programme.
As a result, the Anoual Permits now have Seismic Campaign Update: The preparations This is especially important for women and
a total duration of nine years (in place of eight for the seismic data acquisition have progressed children in the community who will be freed
years) and the unchanged work commitments well with 400 km of line clearance completed up from pumping water and provide them with
under the Anoual Permits are as follows: Initial ahead of the commencement of data acquisition. more time for education and other positive
Period of five years and four months from Sep- The maintenance and checks have been com- activities.
tember 8, 2017: FTG-aerogradiometry and 600 pleted on the vibroseis units and mobilisation “The preparations for the basin opening drill-
km of 2D seismic and one exploration well with to the field camp in Muzarabani is commencing. ing campaign are progressing well, and we are
Triassic objective (to be scheduled in 2022). Data recording is scheduled to commence in on track to select a rig and the service providers
Optional first complimentary period of a fur- the first week of September with the shooting of towards the end of this quarter and then com-
ther one year and two months: if the results of the an initial test line to determine the optimum data mence formal contract negotiations and award.”
drilling of the exploration well drilled in the Ini- acquisition parameters to suit the objectives of Corporate Social Responsibility programme
tial Period are likely to constitute a commercially the programme. By utilising the latest generation expanded: In line with the progression of explo-
exploitable discovery, the Company will acquire STRYDE wireless nodes which are less than 25% ration, the company is expanding its Corporate
150 square km of 3D seismic or its equivalent in of the weight of comparable systems makes the Social Responsibility (CSR) programme in the
2D seismic data. If the results of the exploration laying out and retrieving of the wireless nodes Muzarabani and Mbire Districts.

P14 www. NEWSBASE .com Week 35 01•September•2021