Lekoil reports production test update at Otakikpo marginal field in Nigeria

Lekoil has reported an update on production tests at its Otakikpo marginal field in Nigeria.

The Otakikpo-002 well had flowed nearly 12,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd) during two production tests that were brought to an end earlier this month.

The C5 zone of the well flowed 6,404 bopd at a 36/64 choke while the C6 zone flowed oil at a peak rate of 5,684 bopd at a 36/64 inch choke, for more than 24 hours.

Lekoil terminated production testing at the well due to storage capacity limits on well-testing equipment.

Lekoil CEO Lekan Akinyanmi said: "These successful tests represent another major step towards continuous production and are the most significant accomplishment since operations began, demonstrating our disciplined approach to developing an asset efficiently.

"Safety remains our key priority and we will continue applying the highest standard to our operations as we grow production to, and beyond, our initial Phase 1 target."

The Addendum to the Competent Persons Report prepared by AGR TRACS International predicted that four production strings at the Otakikpo-002 and Otakikpo-003 wells would yield a total of 6,000 bopd.

In September last year, the E1 zone in the lower part of the Otakikpo-002 well tested at a rate of 5,703 bopd before operations encountered problems and the zone was suspended to enable remedial work.

To keep Phase I of the field development plan (FDP) on track, the company prioritised production from the C5 and C6 zones.

Upon completion of Otakikpo-002, Lekoil intends to re-enter the Otakikpo-003 well to target the E1 and C5 zones.

Lekoil anticipates to start commercial production from the Otakikpo field and Otakikpo-003 by the end of second quarter and in third quarter respectively.