(Ecofin Agency) - Cairn Energy and Senegal joint venture partners have decided to drill two appraisal wells on the SNE oil field off Senegal in 2017 using the Stena Drilling’s 2007-built drillship, Stena DrillMAX, FAR Ltd revealed.

According to FAR, the wells will be drilled to improve the SNE field development plan before it is presented to the Government of Senegal for approval.

The joint venture partners have finalized a rig tender assessment process and have executed contracts for the usage of the Stena DrillMAX drillship for the two wells drilling program commencing in Q1 of 2017.

The drilling and assessment plan is for SNE-5 to go through drill stem testing (DST) and have permanent gauges placed in the upper reservoir units. The SNE-6 is to be drilled after the SNE-5well, and it will also undergo an extended DST program.

FAR also revealed that the joint venture is moving towards the submission of a development plan for the SNE field, as pre-FEED activities are now focused on determining the final project size and scope, Offshore Energy Today reports.

“We look forward to the results from the next phase of drilling and evaluation activity over our world class SNE oil field, offshore Senegal. After a rigorous tender process, our joint venture has been able to secure the Stena Drillmax rig at a very attractive operating day rate, reflecting current market conditions and at a substantially lower cost than our two previous drilling campaigns,” Cath Norman, FAR managing director said.

Cairn is the operator and has a 40% working interest in the Sangomar Deep, Sangomar Offshore and Rufisque Offshore blocks in Senegal alongside ConocoPhillips with 35% working interest, Far Limited with 15% WI, and Petrosen with 10%.

Anita Fatunji