Chariot Limited, the Africa focused transitional energy group, has announced preliminary results from the Anchois-3 well drilling campaign at the Anchois gas project in the Lixus Offshore licence, offshore Morocco (Energean 45%, Operator, Chariot 30%, ONHYM 25%).

The Anchois-3 Main Hole (“Anchois-3ST”), has been safely and efficiently drilled to a total measured depth of 3,045m by the Stena Forth drillship in 349m of water.

Further to the announcement of 11 September 2024, preliminary interpretation indicates:

• Multiple good quality gas bearing reservoirs were found in the B sand appraisal interval as anticipated, but the associated gas pays are now interpreted to be lower than the pre-drill geological model
• Other target reservoirs beneath the B sands were also encountered but were water wet. The appraisal target reservoirs of the C and M sand were drilled deeper than the gas bearing sands in the Anchois-2 well and into the water-leg at this down-dip location. The Anchois North Flank exploration prospect was found to have well-developed O sand reservoirs, with associated gas shows, but also water wet

The Main Hole has now been plugged and abandoned, without flow testing, and the drillship is being demobilised.

Further detailed work by the partnership will be done to define the next steps for the project.

Adonis Pouroulis, CEO of Chariot, commented:
“The Anchois East drilling campaign has evaluated all of the pre-drill reservoir targets, however results have not delivered as anticipated or in line with the excellent results of the previously drilled Anchois-2 well. The primary exploration objectives were unsuccessful however, we did demonstrate the extension of gas bearing reservoirs in the main appraisal B sands albeit with thinner columns than estimated and data acquired from the other reservoirs will be useful for our understanding of the field. We will now work with our joint venture partners to determine the forward plan.”