Vaalco Reports Positive Results from Etame Pilot Wells Offshore Gabon
Operator Vaalco Energy has reported encouraging results from its Phase 3 drilling program offshore Gabon, with two pilot wells in the Etame Field both encountering oil and good-quality reservoir sands.
The drilling program, designed to prove additional reserves, began late in 2025 with the ET-15 first well and the ET-15P-ST1 second pilot hole. Vaalco holds a 58.8 percent working interest in and operates the Etame Marin Block offshore Gabon.
The ET-15P was drilled to a total depth of 2,397 meters in the western Etame-1V fault block, targeting the Gamba formation. It encountered good-quality reservoir sands in line with pre-drill expectations, with pressure data revealing strong communication with nearby producer wells.
The findings indicate a connected and productive reservoir system, with in-place oil of potentially 2.4 million to 3.2 million barrels. The well also intersected good-quality, oil-bearing sands in the deeper Dentale Formation.
The second well, ET-15P-ST1, was drilled to a depth of 2,175 meters on the western side of the main Etame fault block. It encountered numerous good-quality sand intervals within the Gamba, with about 9 meters of net reservoir and 4 meters of net pay across two sand lobes.
Analysis of the results and volumetric assessment are underway to assess commercial viability for a potential tie-in to established production infrastructure nearby. The rig is currently drilling the ET-15P horizontal production sidetrack from the initial pilot hole, which should be on production later in the current quarter.
Offshore Côte d’Ivoire, the upgraded FPSO Baobab Ivorian is due to sail back to the CNR-operated Baobab Field, in which Vaalco is a partner, early next month from Drydocks World, Dubai.
Source: offshore-mag.com
