Panoro Energy has announced that the Borr Norve jack-up rig that is currently drilling the DHIBM-2 Hibiscus Extension well has drilled through the main targeted Gamba sandstone in a structurally high position but logging results shows that the Gamba is water wet and there are no hydrocarbon reserves.

The well will still be drilled and logged to a Total Depth of 3,500 metres as planned. The rig will then move to drill the DTM-7H production well at the Tortue field, followed by another exploration well on the Hibiscus North prospect. The data acquired from the DHIBM-2 well will be analysed and integrated into the larger Dussafu model to further refine the extensive exploration prospect inventory.

The existing Hibiscus 2P gross recoverable reserves of 46.1 MMbbls established by the DHIBM-1 well and its appraisal side-track, drilled in 2019, remain unaffected and will form the core of the upcoming Hibiscus/Ruche development project. Planning for this next phase remains on track.

The Chief Executive Office of Panoro, John Hamilton, said: “We are clearly disappointed with the Hibiscus Extension well result, which in a success case would have made the Hibiscus area even bigger than the original discovery. However, we remain extremely confident on the remaining exploration potential in this huge block. Plans now return to focus on production growth at Tortue and the next phase at the Hibiscus Ruche fields. Dussafu remains a highly valuable, long term asset and we look forward to continuing to bring production online and explore for additional reserves.”