Kowe

The Kowe Block, approximately  20 km offshore Gabon with a water depth of 100m, contains three fields, Tchatamba South, Tchatamba Marin and Tchatamba West, together the `Tchatamba Complex`. Discovered between 1993-1997, production from the fields started in 1998.  A peak production of 43 mbbls/d was reached in 2001 and following natural decline, production averages 15 mbbls/d at present.

Production proved to be stronger than originally planned and with additional reserves proven, the facilities were extended in 2003 and a permanent pipeline was constructed directly to the onshore Cap Lopez terminal.

Production in all three fields is from the Lower Cretaceous Madiela reservoir, consisting of high permeable quartz and carbonate shallow marine sands. In addition the largest field, Tchatamba South also produces from the Upper Cretaceous Cap Lopez and Azile reservoirs.

At present there are six producers in Tchatamba south, two in Tchatamba Marin and one in Tchatamba West. All wells produce by ESP´s. Due to the excellent reservoir qualities and aquifer strength, no water injection is required. Pressure support is through natural water drive and produced water is treated before disposal. High quality crude (40 API) is produced from the Tchatamba and Cap Lopez reservoirs, which is mixed with the slightly sour hydrocarbons from the Azile. For lifting and export, all crude is blended as part of Rabi Light blend.

In late 2009, Perenco took over the operation from Marathon. Perenco, present in Gabon since 1992, has been actively expanding its business in recent years and has been able to improve the overall uptimes of the facilities, plus has materially increased reserves by drilling the succesful TCTS-8 well.

Since December 2009 a new lifting contract with Total has enabled monthly oil liftings: with a net production of almost 3000 bbls/d, this brings ONE a steady source of revenues during the year.