Perenco makes oil discovery offshore Democratic Republic of Congo, first exploratory success in 30 years

(WO) – Muanda International Oil Company (“MIOC”), Perenco’s offshore DRC subsidiary, has drilled two exploration wells to date in 2024, making the first exploration discovery offshore the Democratic Republic of Congo in almost thirty years.

Using the Dixstone-owned Nuada Self-Elevated Class 82 SD-C jack-up drilling rig, the Moke-East exploration well, located between Lukami and Motoba fields in the DRC coastal basin, encountered a 24 ft net oil-bearing column. The offshore discovery will be tested and the well completed in the coming weeks.

The Nuada rig has now spud the first of twelve wells on the GCO field, as part of MIOC’s continuing development drilling campaign offshore DRC, aiming to unlock further additional resources in the country. They are expected to be completed in parallel with the CS02 Workover unit on the same location.

The second exploration well, the LUKS-A well, which was targeting a southern extension of the Pinda formation has now been plugged and abandoned following insufficient hydrocarbon potential to complete the well.

Frédéric Kiepferle, Perenco’s DRC General Manager, commented, “Perenco’s offshore DRC subsidiary, MIOC, has had an active start to the year, which has included drilling the country’s first offshore exploration wells for almost thirty years. While testing continues, we are encouraged by the initial results of the Moke-East well. Following many months of preparatory work to ensure safe and successful operations, the Nuada has now moved onto the GCO field where it will be active for the next twelve months.”