LEKOIL, the oil and gas exploration and production company with a focus on Nigeria and West Africa, announces today on behalf of Optimum Petroleum Development Company ("Optimum"), the Operator of the OPL 310 License, and LEKOIL Nigeria Limited, a member of the LEKOIL Limited group, that the site survey on OPL 310 has commenced.

Map source: KeyFacts Energy

Following on from the drilling of Ogo-1 and Ogo-1 ST in 2013 which encountered hydrocarbons within the SynRift and PostRift, Optimum and LEKOIL are envisaging a two-well programme with the objective of obtaining dynamic flow data from well testing while preserving the drilled wells as producers. In conjunction with this appraisal drilling plan, the site survey is required for the assessment of top-hole drilling, jack-up rig and potential platform foundation hazards and any seabed obstructions.

Approval for the site survey on OPL 310 was granted by the Department of Petroleum Resources ("DPR"), in accordance with provision of the Petroleum (Drilling and Production) Regulations. The marine vessel, conducting the site survey, arrived at site location yesterday and has commenced its operation which is expected to be completed before the expiration of the approval received from DPR which occurs on 24 March 2020.

Optimum and LEKOIL envisage that first well spud could occur in the second half of this year and as previously announced on 2 January 2020, LEKOIL has secured US$184 million (gross) of funding for the appraisal drilling and initial development programme activities on the Ogo field.

Lekan Akinyanmi, LEKOIL's CEO, commented, 
"With the commencement of the site survey, we are delighted to begin in earnest the two well appraisal drilling work programme of activities which is expected to lead to the spudding of the first well in the second half of this year. We celebrate this milestone with our partner and the Operator of the OPL 310 License, Optimum Petroleum, as together we pursue value for all stakeholders."

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