Exxon Angola Affiliate Makes 6th Deepwater Oil Discovery

Exxon Corp's affiliate Esso Exploration Angola has made a deepwater oil discovery, its sixth oil find on Angola's offshore Block 15. Named Xicomba, the discovery well encountered an oil bearing reservoir that flowed at a test rate of 1,435 b/d. The well was drilled in 4,445 ft (1,355 meters) of water to a total depth of 9,436 ft (2,876 meters).

Angola's prolific deepwater zone.

Esso and Sonangol announced the Hungo, Kissanje, Marimba, and Dikanza discoveries in Block 15 during 1998, and the Chocalho discovery just two months ago, in June 1999. Xicomba is located 18 miles (29 km) north of the Hungo discovery.

All of the discovery wells are located approximately 230 miles (370 km) northwest of Luanda. Block 15 represents a world-class development opportunity with recoverable reserves potential in excess of 2 billion oil equivalent barrels. The production concept for initial development on Block 15 is under evaluation.

Including Block 15, Exxon affiliates have to date participated in 13 important deepwater discoveries offshore West Africa that have been announced. In addition to Esso (40%), other participants in Block 15 are BP Exploration (Angola) Limited (26.67%), Agip Angola, Limited (20%) and Den Norske Stats Oljeselskap a.s. (13.33%).