In Madagascar, Sterling Energy and Pura Vida are currently deliberating on whether to forge ahead with the Phase 3 of their prospects on Ambilobe Block as the Phase 2 of the Ambilobe PSC will expire in July 2016.

The JV partners had received both Ministerial and Presidential approval in October 2014 to prolong the current phase of both the Ampasindava and Ambilobe PSCs to July 2016.

According to Sterling, an extension is currently being sought after so as to conclude the subsurface technical evaluation, before arriving at a decision whether to move ahead with Phase 3 as all work commitments for the current phase have been completed.

In Q1 of 2016, the partners received a 2015 3D seismic final Pre Stack Depth Migration product which is currently being interpreted. The aim of the assessment is to concentrate on high-grading as well as measuring the lead inventory, in order to evaluate if drillable prospects of satisfactory risked materiality are present on the block. This will assisting in arriving at a commercial verdict if to move ahead with Phase 3, which includes a one well obligation, Petroleum Africa reports.

The Ambilobe block is situated in Ambilobe deep water basin, offshore north-west Madagascar and covers an area of 17,650 km². In June 2015, Sterling completed a 1,175 km² 3D seismic survey to develop the technical description of the lead area before arriving at a decision by mid-2016.

Sterling Energy is the operator of the Ambilobe PSC alongside Pura Vida with 50% interest each.

Anita Fatunji