Selected New Jersey for the first phase of the offshore wind transmission project

The Atlantic wind connection on 15 January, announced that the New Jersey as the first phase of its multi-year offshore wind power transmission project has been selected. This phase of the project, called the energy link from New Jersey. Selection was based on New Jersey engagement for the development of an offshore wind energy industry and the great potential for clean, renewable energy, which is available from its coastline.

NJ power combining an offshore electrical transmission cables, buried under the ocean, energy resources and connects users in the Northern, southern and Central New Jersey. The cable will span from New Jersey and 3,000 megawatts to carry current. The NJ energy connection will be built in three phases and is expected to be in 2016, with the first phase in the year 2019 commissioned its construction. See press release Atlantic wind.

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New Reports Chart Offshore Wind's Path Forward

As the United States prepares to enter the global offshore wind market, what opportunities and challenges lie ahead? The answer to this question, among many others, is explored in two new reports released December 12 by the Energy Department.

The reports—Offshore Wind Market and Economic Analysis and U.S. Offshore Wind Manufacturing and Supply Chain Development—provide detailed assessments of the economic and energy potential of our nation's nascent offshore wind industry. Part of the Department's national offshore wind strategy, these reports are among a suite of tools designed to assist offshore wind project developers and industry stakeholders. For the complete story, see the Energy Blog.

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Energy Department to Fund CSP Integration with Fossil Fuel Plants

The Energy Department on December 17 announced $20 million in new funding that will help integrate concentrating solar power (CSP) systems with fossil-fuel power plants. These hybrid systems leverage the infrastructure of fossil fuel plants, such as turbine and transmission systems, helping to reduce the cost of solar-generated electricity and bring CSP plants online quicker. Today, between 11 and 21 gigawatts of CSP could be built and integrated into existing fossil fuel plants in the United States, enough to power between three and six million homes.

The new funding strives to overcome near-term market and technological barriers for cost-effective CSP hybrid system implementation. Additionally, CSP hybrid technology may help enable further cost reductions in stand-alone CSP projects and spur innovations across the broader CSP supply chain. The projects selected for funding under this program will work to design, build, and test cost-competitive integrated CSP/fossil fuel power generating systems. The Energy Department seeks applications from industry, universities, and national laboratories. Awardees are required to provide 75% of the total project cost.

The Department's SunShot Initiative, a collaborative national effort to make solar energy cost-competitive with other forms of energy by the end of the decade, is sponsoring the offering. See the Energy Department Progress Alert and the funding opportunity announcement.

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Energy Department Invests in Pioneering U.S. Offshore Wind Projects

The Energy Department has taken another step toward establishing U.S. offshore wind energy projects in the same way turbines like these harness wind power in Europe.
Credit: Seimens

The Energy Department on December 12 announced seven awards for offshore wind projects in Maine, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, and Virginia. These engineering, design, and deployment projects will support innovative offshore installations in state and federal waters for commercial operation by 2017.

In the initial phase, each project will receive up to $4 million to complete the engineering, design, and permitting phases of this award. The Department will select up to three of these projects for follow-on phases that focus on siting, construction, and installation and aim to achieve commercial operation by 2017. These projects will receive up to $47 million each over four years, subject to Congressional appropriations.

The seven projects selected for the first phase of this six-year initiative are located on the East and West Coasts, in the Gulf of Mexico, and Lake Erie. On the East Coast, Fishermen's Atlantic City Windfarm plans to install up to six direct-drive turbines in state waters three miles off the coast of Atlantic City, New Jersey, with expected commercial operation by 2015; Statoil North America of Stamford, Connecticut, plans to deploy four 3-megawatt wind turbines on floating spar buoy structures in the Gulf of Maine off Boothbay Harbor at a water depth of approximately 460 feet; the University of Maine plans to install a pilot floating offshore wind farm with two 6-megawatt direct-drive turbines on concrete semi-submersible foundations near Monhegan Island; and Dominion Virginia Power of Richmond, Virginia, plans to design, develop, and install two 6-megawatt direct-drive turbines off the coast of Virginia Beach.

In the Gulf, Baryonyx Corporation, based in Austin, Texas, plans to install three 6-megawatt direct-drive wind turbines in state waters near Port Isabel, Texas. On the Pacific Coast, Seattle, Washington-based Principle Power plans to install five semi-submersible floating foundations outfitted with 6-megawatt direct-drive offshore wind turbines in deep water 10 to 15 miles from Coos Bay, Oregon. And inland, the Lake Erie Development Corporation, a regional public-private partnership based in Cleveland, Ohio, plans to install nine 3-megawatt direct-drive wind turbines on "ice breaker" monopile foundations. These are designed to reduce ice loading on Lake Erie, seven miles off the coast of Cleveland.

Offshore wind offers more than 4,000 gigawatts of electricity potential in the United States. According to a new report commissioned by the Energy Department, a U.S. offshore wind industry that takes advantage of this abundant domestic resource could support up to 200,000 manufacturing, construction, operation, and supply-chain jobs across the country and drive over $70 billion in annual investments by 2030. See the Energy Department press release, the Offshore Wind Technology Web page, and the Wind Program website.

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DOI Announces renewable energy offshore lease sale

The Department of the Interior (DOI) and its Bureau of ocean energy management (BOEM) on 30 November announced competitive lease sales for renewable energies development of two wind zones power in the Atlantic Ocean. BOEM proposes to lease nearly 278,000 hectares of offshore Virginia, Massachusetts and Rhode Iceland.

The lease sales, which will take place next year, are always competitive on the outer continental shelf wind energy first sales. They are important milestones in the DOI 'smart from the start"wind-energy program to facilitate the choice of location, leasing and construction of new wind energy projects. This proposed leasing areas cover as potential high winds have resource and more than 4,000 megawatts be wind generation, enough to power to be able to support an estimated 1.4 million homes.

Were the proposed sale of notices in the Federal Register on December 3 that published, detailed information on the areas for leasing, as well as details such as procurement procedures available. Notices public comment 60-day period ending on 1 February 2013. See press release DOI, Federal notice for Massachusetts and Rhode Iceland and Federal Register notice register for Virginia.

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Interior Minister announces lease agreement for Delaware offshore wind energy

An agreement on the first commercial lease after its "smart from the start" has reached offshore-wind energy development initiative announced the US Department of Interior (DOI) and its Bureau of ocean energy management (BOEM) on 23 October BOEM. Located in the federal waters, the site covers 96.430 hectares about 11 nautical miles off the coast of Delaware.

The lease NRG Bluewater grants the exclusive right, a wind Delaware LLC or multiple plans the BOEM lead to activities in support of wind energy development in the area of leasing to submit. The company can an assessment plan with a proposal site assessment activities, such as the installation of a meteorological Tower or meteorological buoy lead present. It can send also a construction and operation plan construction of actual wind system and cabling propose to shore.

NRG Bluewater originally proposed a 450-megawatt project off the coast of Delaware, with estimates that the project could generate enough electricity to power for more than 100,000 houses. This estimate could change, after NRG learns additional planning and survey work and sends its plan to the BOEM, where the possible plans based on ecological, technical and other factors before granting approval for the construction of value determined. The smart start initiative for Atlantic of outer continental shelf announced in 2010 should site selection, to facilitate leasing and construction of new offshore renewable projects. See the DOI press release and the BOEM Delaware Web site, including a map of the site.

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Interior Advances Offshore Atlantic Transmission Line

The U.S. Department of the Interior and its Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced on May 14 a finding of "no competitive interest" for the proposed Mid-Atlantic offshore wind energy transmission line. The decision clears the way for the project to move forward with the environmental review necessary to grant the company, Atlantic Grid Holdings, LLC, a right-of-way for the proposal to build a "backbone" transmission line that would enable up to 7,000 megawatts of wind turbine capacity to be delivered to the grid.

The proposed project is a high-voltage, direct-current subsea transmission system that would collect power generated by wind turbine facilities off the Atlantic coasts of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Virginia. The first such offshore infrastructure proposed in the United States, the system's parallel, redundant circuits would total about 790 miles in length. The proposed transmission line would be constructed in phases to connect offshore wind power to the grid based on the company’s estimates of when offshore wind generation facilities will be in place. A right-of-way grant occupies a corridor 200 feet wide, centered on the cable with additional widths at the hubs. The right-of-way grant corridor is anticipated to extend about 790 miles. Full construction of all phases of the multi-stage project would take about 10 years.

Before proceeding with the review of this project, BOEM had to determine whether there were other developers interested in constructing transmission facilities in the same area. Last December, BOEM put out a request for competitive interest in order to gather that information. BOEM also solicited public comment on site conditions and multiple uses within the right-of-way grant area that would be relevant to the proposed project or its impacts. See the Interior press release.

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Interior Department Announces Next Steps for Atlantic Offshore Energy

Das U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) und das Bureau des Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) kundigte am 28. Marz DOI Schritte zu beurteilen, die konventionelle und erneuerbare Energie-Ressource Potenzial in den Mid- und Sud-Atlantik stattfindet. Die Entwurf programmgesteuerte Umweltbelastung Anweisung (PEIS) freigegeben fur offentliche Kommentare helfen zukunftige Entscheidungen mitteilen, ob, und wenn also wo leasing angebracht ware.

Dieser Meilenstein Fortschritte BOEM zugeschnitten Regional Ansatz fur Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Exploration und Entwicklung, betont die Bedeutung einer besseren Verstandnis Ressource Potenzial in den Mid- und Sud-Atlantik. Der Entwurf PEIS beurteilt vorgeschlagene geologische und geophysikalische Aktivitaten, darunter seismische und andere Offshore-Untersuchungen, in den Mid - und Sud-Atlantik Planung Bereiche.

Der PEIS auch wertet die potenziellen Umweltauswirkungen der mehrere geologische und geophysikalische Aktivitaten in diesen Bereichen Planung OCS und, wo notig, umrei?t Minderungs- und Uberwachungsma?nahmen, die verringern oder beseitigen der mogliche Auswirkungen. Eine Vielzahl von Techniken wird auch verwendet, das Potenzial erneuerbarer Energie Strukturen-Website, und suchen marine Bodenschatzen wie Sand und Kies zu verstehen. BOEM verwendet auch geologische und geophysikalische Informationen zur Erfullung ihrer gesetzlichen Aufgaben um die Sicherheit von offshore-Aktivitaten zu uberwachen; Unterstutzung von Analysen der Auswirkungen auf die Umwelt und schonen die Umwelt; Erhalt des Marktwerts fur geleaste federal Lands zu gewahrleisten; und zur Erhaltung der Ol-und Gasvorkommen. Finden Sie die DOI-Pressemitteilung und den Entwurf PEIS.

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Offshore Wind Gets $180 Million Boost from DOE

DOE announced on March 1 the start of an initiative to capture wind energy off U.S. coasts. As part of a planned six-year, $180 million initiative, an initial $20 million will be available this year as the first step in supporting up to four innovative offshore wind energy installations. These offshore wind projects will accelerate the deployment of breakthrough wind power technologies that will help diversify the U.S. energy portfolio. Offshore wind resources in the United States are estimated at more than 4,000 gigawatts.

The demonstration projects will help address key challenges associated with installing utility-scale offshore wind turbines, connecting offshore turbines to the power grid, and navigating new permitting and approval processes. In addition to the new funding, DOE is continuing to work with partners across the federal government to implement a comprehensive offshore wind energy strategy, conduct resource assessments, and streamline siting and permitting processes.

Applicants to the competitive solicitation are expected to form consortia of energy project developers, equipment suppliers, research institutions, and marine-installation specialists. DOE funds may be used to cover up to 80% of a project's design costs and 50% of the hardware and installation costs. Applications are due on May 31, 2012. See the DOE press release and the funding opportunity details.

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Total launches phase 2 of offshore Ofon field

Total started the second phase of the development of field Ofon in offshore Nigeria (Ofon phase 2) has begun.

Construction and installation have awarded phase 2 contracts for Ofon is expected to be 2014.

"Start Ofon phase 2, total the pace of the development of its resources in a sustainable manner increases", said Jacques Marraud des grottes, Senior Vice President exploration-production for Africa in total.

"It is our strategy to support the offshore areas such as Krystian and near future USAN by minimizing greenhouse gas emissions primarily on the development of deep another growth driver."

Field Ofon is located in oil mining lease (OML) 102, 65 km off the Nigerian coast in a depth of 40 meters.

Ofon phase 2 is the field undeveloped reserves to increase production to 90,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day by 30,000 barrels by 4 new platforms install unlock: 2 production platforms, a platform and an accommodation platform. Most of the development is dedicated to restoring natural gas, compressed and Coast evacuated.

In accordance with the total environmental responsibility is obligations Ofon phase 2 a big step forward in the group plan, associated with his flaring gas and to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

The partners in the OML 102 are total exploration production Nigeria Ltd. (40%, operator) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC - 60%).

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Internal Department takes key step in letting of offshore wind energy

Offshore wind turbines like these might be closer to the reality of the Atlantic coast.
Credit card: Siemens

The Department of the Interior (DOI) on 2 February is an important milestone for offshore wind energy along the Atlantic coast. DOE and its Bureau of ocean energy management (BOEM) announced that the Department initiative has passed an important environmental review. This approval process for wind will move forward leasing energy sales from Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and Virginia allow.

BOEM of national environmental policy act review found, there would be no significant environmental or socio-economic impact from wind energy leases in designated areas of the mid-Atlantic coast. The Bureau to solicit published tenders information and nominations for Maryland and Virginia leasing nominations from industry and public comments on site conditions, resources and several uses of wind energy areas to apply for. The Bureau also announced the conclusion of a first of-its-kind form of leasing, which optimize the issuance of offshore renewable energy leasing. Financial and others, as well as a location-specific measures on each lease be added before it is executed. The form of leasing is now available and will be effective 15 days after publication in the Federal Register. Find the DOI press release and lease information in the Federal Register.

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Anadarko appraisal success offshore Mozambique

Anadarko reported its seventh well in the discovery area offshore Mozambique successfully appraised previous discoveries at Lagosta and Camarao.

The Lagosta-2 appraisal well, located about 4.4 miles (7 kilometers) north of the Lagosta discovery and 5.3 miles (8.5 kilometers) south of the Camarao well, encountered 777 total net feet (237 meters) of natural gas pay in multiple zones.

"This is the largest pay count of any well in the complex to date, and it seems fitting that our seventh successful well in the discovery area would encounter 777 net feet of pay," said Bob Daniels, Anadarko Sr. Vice President, Worldwide Exploration.

"These excellent results continue to support our recoverable resource estimates of 15 to 30-plus Tcf (trillion cubic feet) of natural gas in the discovery area on our block, as well as provide additional information that will be incorporated into our models to help determine the optimal subsea development plans for the complex. In addition, a second deepwater drillship, the Deepwater Millennium, has arrived in Mozambique to begin an accelerated testing program that will include installing observation gauges and conducting several drillstem tests, as we remain on track to reach a final investment decision for this project in 2013."

The Lagosta-2 appraisal well was drilled to a total depth of approximately 14,223 feet (4,335 meters) in water depths of approximately 4,813 feet (1,467 meters) in the Offshore Area 1 of the Rovuma Basin. The partnership plans to preserve the Lagosta-2 well for future utilization during its planned drillstem testing program in the Windjammer, Barquentine and Lagosta complex. Once operations are complete, the Belford Dolphin deepwater drillship will be mobilized to drill the Lagosta-3 appraisal well.

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Chevron natural gas discovery offshore Australia

Chevron reported a natural gas discovery by Australian subsidiary in the Exmouth plateau the Carnarvon basin, offshore Western Australia.

Gas found well about 243 feet (74) of the net pay of the satyr-3. The fountain located 113 miles (182 km) North of Exmouth in the approval WA-374-P and was of water to a depth of 13.369 (4.075 m) in 1.124 3.688 m drilled.

"Satyr 3 of our is thirteenth offshore discovery in Australia since mid-2009," says George Kirkland, Vice President, Chevron Corporation.

"This latest discovery the quality and lasting value strengthens our Australian exploration of leasing companies in the Carnarvon basin."

Chevron Australian subsidiary is the operator of the area permit WA-374-P and holds a 50 per cent, with Exxon Mobil and shell each hold 25 per cent.

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DOI OKs Two Major Renewable Projects, Takes Step for Offshore Power Line

The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) announced on December 20 the approval of two utility-scale renewable energy projects, including the first renewable project on public lands in Arizona and a solar energy project in California. Combined, the two projects will generate nearly 500 megawatts (MW), enough to power 150,000 homes, and create 700 jobs during peak construction. Also, DOI announced the first major step in developing an offshore wind transmission line on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf.

DOI approved the Sonoran Solar Energy Project, proposed by a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, making it the first-ever renewable energy project approved for construction on public lands in Arizona in the desert southwest of Phoenix. The project's photovoltaic (PV) panels are expected to generate 300 megawatts, and the project will create 374 jobs through construction operation and maintenance. Also approved was the Tule Wind Power Project, located 70 miles east of San Diego, which will produce 186 megawatts of electricity via 62 wind turbines sited on public lands, or enough to power up to 65,000 homes. Proposed by a subsidiary of Iberdrola Renewables, the project is expected to create 337 jobs.

DOI also set the next step toward developing a Mid-Atlantic Wind Energy Transmission Line. Atlantic Grid Holdings, LLC has requested a right-of-way grant to develop a high-voltage direct current line that would collect power generated by wind turbine facilities off the coasts of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Virginia. With the new line would, up to 7,000 MW of wind turbine capacity could be delivered to the grid. DOI's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement opened a public comment period on the potential environmental effects of the proposed project. The agency is also asking whether other developers are interested in constructing transmission facilities in this area in order to determine whether there is overlapping competitive interest. See the DOI press release, a DOI fact sheet on onshore renewable energy, and a fact sheet on offshore renewable energy.

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Chevron natural gas discovery offshore Western Australia

Posted at: December 15, 2011

Chevron reported a natural gas discovery by Australian subsidiary in the Exmouth plateau the Carnarvon basin, offshore Western Australia.

"Find Vos-1 of our Zwolfter offshore discovery in Australia since mid-2009," said George Kirkland, Vice President, Chevron Corporation.

"Our successful drilling program offshore Western Australia shows Chevron global exploration."

Vos-1 is also about occurred 453 feet (138) net gas pay. Located the well was drilled 1484 meter of water in the field permit WA-439-P about 186 miles (300 km) of Exmouth on the western coast of Australia, in 4869 to a depth of 12.461 (3798m).

"Our ongoing exploration success of our Australian raw materials base further underpins our drive as a leading supplier of liquefied natural gas markets and gas to Western Australia, to", said melody Meyer, President, Chevron Asia Pacific exploration and production.

Chevron Australian subsidiary is the operator of WA-439-P and holds a 50 per cent, with shell development (Australia) Pty Ltd holds the remaining 50%.

Written by Richard Price, editor, energyme.com. Follow energyme.com on Twitter @ Energyme. Information provided by companies or PR agencies, are responsible for the content. Send press releases in Word format to richard@energyme.com

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Lundin Petroleum spuds appraisal well, offshore Norway

Lundin Petroleum reported that drilling of the appraisal well 16/5-2S on the Avaldsnes discovery located in the North Sea sector of the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS), has commenced.

The planned total vertical depth is approximately 2,150 meters below mean sea level and the well will be drilled using the semi-submersible drilling rig Bredford Dolphin.

The drilling operation is expected to take approximately 40 days.

The objective of the well is to appraise the Avaldsnes discovery following the 16/2-6 discovery well in 2010 and the successful appraisal wells 16/3-4 and 16/2-7 drilled earlier this year. The 16/5-2S well will be followed in 2012 by further Avaldsnes appraisal wells in PL501.

Lundin Petroleum has previously announced estimated gross contingent recoverable resources for the Avaldsnes discovery located in PL501 of between 800 million and 1.8 billion barrels of oil.

The gross contingent recoverable resources of the Aldous Major South discovery located in PL265 have been estimated previously by Statoil at between 900 million to 1.5 billion barrels of oil.

The Avaldsnes/Aldous Major South discovery is therefore estimated to contain gross contingent recoverable resources of 1.7 to 3.3 billion barrels, which is one of the largest discoveries on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.

Lundin Petroleum is the operator of PL501 with 40 percent interest. Partners are Statoil Petroleum AS with 40 percent and Maersk Oil Norway AS with 20 percent interest.

Lundin Petroleum is a partner with a 10 percent interest in PL265. Statoil Petroleum AS is the operator with 40 percent, Petoro has 30 percent and Det Norske oljeselskap ASA has 20 percent interest.

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Lundin discovery offshore Malaysia

Lundin Petroleum has discovered oil in the Janglau-1 well that was drilled in Block PM308A, offshore Peninsular Malaysia.

Janglau-1 was drilled to a total depth of 3,820 metres by the jackup rig "Offshore Courageous".

The objectives of the well were Oligocene intra-rift sands and the underlying fractured pre-Tertiary section.

During drilling below 3,153 metres, oil was found in multiple pay sand units in an intra-rift sand/shale section that extended over a gross interval of approximately 300 metres. Oil samples were recovered at surface during drilling.

The well was successfully logged and petrophysical analysis indicates 24 metres of net oil pay. Pressure testing and fluid sampling were completed and oil samples recovered for laboratory analysis. A mini-DST test was successfully completed.

Following completion of the well further work will be undertaken on the data recovered to fully evaluate the discovery and it’s potential.

"Janglau-1 results is further validation of Lundin Petroleum's strategy of pursuing organic growth opportunities in focused core areas with evidence of active petroleum systems," said Ashley Heppenstall.

"This is Lundin Petroleum’s first discovery in this area and follows 2 prior gas discoveries in the Sabah core area drilled earlier in 2011. Janglau-1 confirms a new oil play where Lundin Petroleum has built a significant production sharing contract position. Lundin Petroleum together with partners look forward to further exploration drilling in PM308A in the coming years and building on the encouragement provided by Janglau-1."

The PM308A production sharing contract (PSC) is operated by Lundin Malaysia BV with 35 percent equity interest. Partners are JX Nippon Oil & Gas Exploration (Peninsular Malaysia) Limited with 40 percent and PETRONAS Carigali with 25 percent.

Following completion of Janglau-1 the Offshore Courageous jackup rig will move to the Bertam-2 appraisal well location in the adjacent PM307 PSC area.

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Production potential raised at Carioca discovery, offshore Brazil

BG Group reported an extended well test (EWT) had increased the production potential of the Carioca discovery located on the BM-S-9 concession in the Santos Basin, offshore Brazil.

Results from the EWT in progress at the well 3-SPS-74, known as Carioca Nordeste, indicate potential production of approximately 28 000 barrels of oil per day (bopd), above initial expectations. The well, which is connected to the FPSO Dynamic Producer, is currently producing 23 400 bopd, constrained by facilities.

The potential of the Carioca area was further underlined by results from the 4-BRSA-973A-SPS well, informally known as Abare, located 35 kilometres south of the discovery well 1-BRSA-491-SPS (Carioca) and 293 kilometres off the coast of Sao Paulo state.

Wireline samples showed good quality oil at Abare, about 28 degrees API, in carbonate reservoirs at a depth of about 4 830 metres. A drill stem formation test is planned to evaluate the productivity of the interval.

Five wells have now been drilled in the Carioca area in addition to the completion of two formation tests. This fulfills the evaluation commitments required by the National Agency for Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP).

Given the promising results at Carioca, the consortium intends to do more appraisal work to further evaluate the area's full potential.

To allow this, the ANP has approved a revision of activities and has extended the deadline for a Declaration of Commerciality from November 2011 to 31 December 2013. There is no change to the consortium's plans and schedule for development and production.

BG Group has a 30% interest in Block BM-S-9 which is comprised of two appraisal areas - Guara and Carioca (Petrobras 45%, operator and Repsol Sinopec 25%).

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Tullow signs new PSC as operator offshore Mauritania

Tullow Oil reported new Production Sharing Contract (PSC) arrangements have been agreed with the Government of Mauritania and its joint venture partners.

These arrangements will enable the Group to progress the appraisal and development of existing discoveries and pursue exploration in a new contract area covering 10,725 square kilometres with Tullow as operator.

The new arrangements, reached through transactions with partners and PSC awards from the Government, result in the exploration areas of the PSCs previously known as PSC–Area A and PSC–Area B being replaced by a new, single Exploration PSC called C-10. Tullow will operate this new PSC with a 59.15% interest.

The existing Banda, Tevet and Tiof discoveries have been ring-fenced under their original PSC terms and extensions of up to 18 months have been granted to allow appraisal and development activities to be completed.

Petronas will continue to operate Chinguetti Field on the basis of the original equities.

Tullow will work closely with the Government of Mauritania and its Joint Venture partners on the near-term commercialisation of the existing discoveries and the initiation of a high-impact exploration programme.

The development of the Banda gas and Banda oil rim discoveries will be prioritised and it is expected that the results of initial development studies will be presented to the Government in early 2012. The high impact exploration programme is expected to include a minimum of two wells over the next three years.

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Tullow signs new PSC as operator offshore Mauritania

Tullow Oil reported new Production Sharing Contract (PSC) arrangements have been agreed with the Government of Mauritania and its joint venture partners.

These arrangements will enable the Group to progress the appraisal and development of existing discoveries and pursue exploration in a new contract area covering 10,725 square kilometres with Tullow as operator.

The new arrangements, reached through transactions with partners and PSC awards from the Government, result in the exploration areas of the PSCs previously known as PSC–Area A and PSC–Area B being replaced by a new, single Exploration PSC called C-10. Tullow will operate this new PSC with a 59.15% interest.

The existing Banda, Tevet and Tiof discoveries have been ring-fenced under their original PSC terms and extensions of up to 18 months have been granted to allow appraisal and development activities to be completed.

Petronas will continue to operate Chinguetti Field on the basis of the original equities.

Tullow will work closely with the Government of Mauritania and its Joint Venture partners on the near-term commercialisation of the existing discoveries and the initiation of a high-impact exploration programme.

The development of the Banda gas and Banda oil rim discoveries will be prioritised and it is expected that the results of initial development studies will be presented to the Government in early 2012. The high impact exploration programme is expected to include a minimum of two wells over the next three years.

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