Page 7 - LatAmOil Week 40 2021

LatAmOil CUBA LatAmOil

Alameda is a section of Block 9 onshore Cuba (Image: Melbana Energy)

The shows consisted of crude oil that “appears hope of reaching its primary targets, the N and
to be lighter than that normally seen at this Alameda layers of the Lower Thrust Sheet.
depth [and] was accompanied by elevated gas Andrew Purcell, Melbana’s executive chair-
readings,” it stated. The company is continuing man, struck an upbeat note. “Encountering
to encounter “excellent” shows over a 670-metre oil shows over such a significant interval is, of
interval that persisted into deeper secondary course, very encouraging,” he commented. “We
drilling targets in the U1 layer and has also hope to reach the next casing point sometime in
encountered variable shows at depths below the week ahead, following which we’ll run logs
1,130 metres, it reported. in order to provide our geoscientists with more
Melbana’s geologists believe these shows to data to assist them in their assessment of what
be a good sign of the block’s prospectivity, the we’ve encountered.”
statement said. It stressed, though, that the Melbana is developing Block 9 in co-opera-
company would have to undertake logging tion with Angola’s national oil company (NOC)
operations to gain a better understanding of the Sonangol, which acquired a 70% stake in the
reservoir. project via a farm-in deal in 2020.
Going forward, Melbana’s plan is to continue Sonangol has agreed to cover 85% of the
drilling down to a planned intermediate casing $30mn cost of the two-well drilling programme
point at a depth of around 2,200 metres and then that begins with the Alameda-1 exploration
beginning wireline logging operations. Subse- well, and the Australian company will cover the
quently, the company will resume drilling in the remaining 15%. ™

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
Trinidad and Tobago to hold

three bidding rounds in 2022

TRINIDAD and Tobago’s Finance Minister exploration and successful activity on both our
Colm Imbert said earlier this week that Port of land and shallow marine areas, we have ramped
Spain hoped to launch multiple licensing rounds up our expectation in respect of our deepwater
for onshore and offshore exploration prospects areas,” he commented. A total of 11 offshore
next year. blocks will be offered to investors during this
During the reading of the government’s first licensing round, he noted.
proposed budget for 2022, Imbert stated that The second round will cover 12 onshore
the first set of bidding contests would cover blocks, while the third will cover 13 shallow-wa-
deepwater offshore sites. “Following on recent ter offshore blocks, he said.

Week 40 07•October•2021 www. NEWSBASE .com P7