Chariot Limited, the African subsidiary of energy company Chariot, has officially begun drilling operations at its Anchois gas project in Moroccan waters. The company announced today that the Stena Forth drillship has arrived at the site to start work on the Anchois-3 well, marking a significant step in Chariot's exploration and development strategy.
The Anchois-3 well drilling is divided into several phases, each aimed at fully realizing the potential of this crucial gas field. The first phase involves drilling a pilot hole to explore the Anchois Footwall prospect, an undrilled area east of the main field, estimated to hold 170 billion cubic feet of prospective resources.
Next, a side-track will be drilled to further evaluate the already discovered gas sands within the Anchois field, which has a 2C Contingent Resource estimate of 637 billion cubic feet.
The operation will then progress to the deeper Anchois North Flank prospect, which carries an additional 2U Prospective Resource estimate of 213 billion cubic feet. This phase will also help mitigate risks associated with the nearby Anchois South Flank prospect, expected to contain 372 billion cubic feet of prospective resources.
"We are very pleased to initiate this highly anticipated well at the Anchois gas field," said Adonis Pouroulis, CEO of Chariot. "We see significant upside potential and value from the prospective resources in the pilot hole and main hole targets, which could increase the resource base to over 1 trillion cubic feet."
Following the drilling, Chariot will conduct well flow testing on selected gas sands to evaluate the productivity of the reservoirs and the well itself. The well will then be suspended, with future production remaining a possibility as the project advances.
The entire drilling and testing operation at Anchois-3 is expected to take around two months, with Chariot confirming that it is fully covered for the expected costs of this drilling campaign.
Pouroulis expressed optimism about the project's potential to significantly expand Chariot's resource base. "I look forward, on success, to moving towards a Final Investment Decision as quickly as possible," he added.
Chariot’s operations in Africa focus on three main areas: Transitional Gas, Transitional Power, and Green Hydrogen. Through the development of the Anchois gas field, Chariot aims to support Morocco's growing economy and contribute to the country’s energy independence, while also investing in renewable energy and hydrogen projects.
The successful exploration and development of the Anchois gas field could position Chariot as a major player in Morocco's energy sector, underscoring the company’s commitment to sustainable energy development in the region.
