(OIlNow) Exploration drilling in the Canje Block offshore Guyana continues at the Jabillo-1 prospect located approximately 261 kilometers offshore.

The Stena Carron had initiated drilling operations at Jabillo-1 on March 14 as part of a three-well campaign planned this year on the acreage, operated by U.S. oil major, ExxonMobil.  Drilling at Jabillo-1 was then paused, to resume this month, following the drilling of the Koebi-1 at the Stabroek Block. Exxon had embarked on a back-to-back exploration campaign in March, spudding both the Jabillo-1 and Koebi-1 prospects.

A notice from the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) said the Stena Carron will be engaged in drilling activities at Jabillo-1 up until July 30, covering an area of 1 square kilometre.

Drilling at the Canje Block will be key to determining if the upper-cretaceous play can be extended in a basin where over 9 billion barrels of oil equivalent have been found in the adjacent Stabroek Block since 2015.

Results from a 6,100 km2 3D seismic survey on the Canje Block have been used to define a substantial inventory targeting three initial prospects – Bulletwood, Jabillo, and Sapote. Bulletwood had encountered quality reservoirs but non-commercial hydrocarbons. Jabillo is estimated to contain around 1 billion barrels of oil equivalent resources.

ExxonMobil is operator at the Canje Block with a 35% interest. Total holds 35%, JHI Associates, Inc. 17.5% and Mid-Atlantic Oil & Gas, Inc. 12.5%.

Activities ramp up at Kanuku Block

Meanwhile, MARAD said Spanish oil company Repsol is conducting Geotechnical and Geophysical surveying activities in the Kanuku Block. The vessel R/V Horizon Geobay will be engaged in the survey activities situated approximately 61,113 kilometers offshore covering an area of 4,208 square kilometres.

Results from the Carapa-1 exploration well at the Kanuku Block were announced in January 2020. The well had encountered approximately four metres of net oil pay in Upper Cretaceous age sandstone reservoirs. Rig site testing had indicated that the oil is 27 degrees API with a sulphur content of less than 1%. The partners on the block said at the time that while net pay and reservoir development at the location are below pre-drill estimates, they are encouraged to find good quality oil which proves the extension of the prolific Cretaceous play.

Repsol is the operator of the Kanuku Block with a 37.5 stake. The other partners are Tullow (37.5%) and Total (25%).