(Ecofin Agency) - VAALCO Energy has declared the coming online of its first development will in the North Tchibala 1-H well offshore Gabon.

The well which was brought online at a rate slightly in excess of 3,000 bpd of oil, leading to about 750 bpd net revenue interest to VAALCO, was drilled to a measured depth of approximately 3,400 metres in the undeveloped Dentale reservoir.

The Dentale formation is productive in fields onshore Gabon, but this well represents the first offshore Dentale production.

The well was previously brought online using an electrical submersible pump (ESP), but was allowed to produce naturally thereafter. The well is not producing any formation water or hydrogen sulphide and has a strong flowing tubing pressure in excess of 1,000 PSI. VAALCO however plans to continue to produce the well without artificial lift while monitoring surface and downhole pressures.

VAALCO Energy, Inc. is an independent energy company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development and production of crude oil and natural gas. It owns producing properties and conducts exploration activities as an operator in Gabon, conducts exploration activities as an operator in Angola, and participates in exploration and development activities as a non-operator in Equatorial Guinea.

“We will monitor production and reservoir performance over the next few months while we complete our workover program at the Avouma/South Tchibala platform to determine the appropriate timing to drill a follow-up North Tchibala development well. We believe this field has significant reserve upside and results from this well over the coming months are important as this will allow us to better understand the potential of the newly-producing reservoir.” Steve Guidry, CEO of VAALCO, told Oilreview Africa.