The North Cleopatra block lies in the frontier Herodotus basin in the Mediterranean Sea, and covers more than 3,400 square kilometres in water depths reaching 2,600 metres. Following the transaction, which is subject to approval by the Egyptian government, Shell will retain a 36% operating interest in the block, with Chevron holding 27% and Egypt’s Tharwa Petroleum Company holding 10%.
Block 3/24 covers 545 square kilometres and contains five oil and gas discoveries – Cefo, Goulongo, Kuma, Palanca North East and Quissama – as well as the previously developed Canuku field cluster, which has produced up to 12,000 bopd.
“As the successor operator of the license Shell has a direct and substantial interest in the matter, as confirmed by the court,” a company spokesperson said. “South Africa is currently reliant on energy imports for many of its energy needs. Should viable resources be found offshore, this could significantly contribute to South Africa’s energy security and the government’s economic development programs.”
PetroChina Investment Suriname BV, a subsidiary of China National Petroleum Corp., signed a production sharing contract on Blocks 14 and 15 in Suriname with state-owned Staatsolie Maatschappij Suriname.