In Mauritania, Sterling Energy Plc., has announced that it has concluded the acquisition of a 13.5% working interest in the Production Sharing Contract (PSC) for offshore Block C-10.

The PSC which was awarded in 2011, is currently in the phase 2 of the exploration period which will expire on November 30, 2017. It covers Block C-10 which lies in water depths of 50 meters to 2, 400 meters with a full legacy 3D seismic coverage with an area of about 10, 725 km² offshore Mauritania.

Tullow is the operator of the block alongside Sterling Energy and Société Mauritanienne des Hydrocarbures et de Patrimoine Minier (SMHPM) with 76.5%, 13.5% and 10% respectively.

The partners expects that an exploration well for the prospect test will be drilled in 2017. On completion of the Phase 2, the partners may choose to proceed into phase 3, with a work commitment of 2 wells.

Meanwhile, Sterling and Tullow are to take up SMHPM’s 10% interest proportionally with the exploration period of the product sharing contract.

 “We are pleased to have the opportunity to partner with Tullow and SMHPM in the C-10 block in addition to the recent C-3 entry. As a result of recent play opening discoveries, this part of the West African margin has rapidly become an exciting new oil and gas province. The Company looks forward to de-risking the remaining potential on block, including the deeper shelf carbonate play, leading to an exploration well with Tullow in early 2017”, Eskil Jersing, CEO of Sterling Energy told Offshore Energy Today.