Exxon Mobil Makes Major Find Off Nigeria

Exxon Mobil Corp. made a major oil and gas discovery in the deepwater off the coast of Nigeria. Located about 100 miles southeast of Lagos, the discovery well, Erha-1, was drilled from December 1998 to February 1999. Exxon Mobil said the appraisal well, Erha-2, stood in 3,860 feet of water and was drilled to a total depth of 12,287 feet. It tested at a flow rate of 2,800 barrels per day. As operator, Exxon will hold a 56.25 percent participating interest and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Co., a unit of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group, will a hold 43.75 percent stake. Including the Erha find, Exxon Mobil holds an interest in 44 deepwater blocks in West Africa. So far the company and its partners have reported 15 discoveries from these blocks, with a recoverable reserve potential of six billion oil equivalent barrels.