VAALCO Energy has announced positive operational updates in Gabon regarding the ongoing drilling program, including encouraging initial well results on the Etame 14H well and mobilized the rig to the Ebouri platform. Additionally, the Company provided updates on the timing of bringing the Baobab field in CI-40 block, offshore Côte d'Ivoire back online.
Operational Highlights:
- Successfully drilled, completed and placed on production the Etame 14H development well in an attic position within the Main Fault Block of the Etame field, with a lateral of 325 meters of net pay in high-quality Gamba sands;
- Achieved excellent initial flow rate of approximately 4,850 gross barrels of oil per day ("BOPD"), 2,850 BOPD net to Vaalco;
- Encountered 325 meters of net pay in high-quality Gamba reservoir sands with better-than-expected porosity and permeability;
- Continued the drilling campaign in offshore Gabon, with the rig mobilization to the Ebouri platform and drilling has commenced on the EEBOM-5H development well;
- Targeting an updip/attic position for the EEBOM-5H well by sidetracking from the previously abandoned EEBOM-5P well; and
- Baobab Ivorien Floating Production Storage and Offloading Vessel ("FPSO") has completed its 47-day tow from the Dry Dock World shipyard in Dubai, where it underwent a complete refurbishment, and arrived back in Côte d'Ivoire on April 2. The FPSO is now fully moored back on its original location and is beginning the process of reconnecting the risers and umbilicals. Restart of production remains on track for Q2 2026.
George Maxwell, Vaalco's Chief Executive Officer, commented, 'We continue to see positive results from our Gabon drilling campaign. The Etame 14H development well encountered 325 meters of net pay in high-quality Gamba sands in an attic position within the Main Fault Block at Etame. We are very pleased with the initial well rates of around 4,850 gross BOPD, or 2,850 net BOPD and are excited to add this new production. We have mobilized the rig to the Ebouri platform where we are drilling a development well and plan to workover two other wells. Our goal is to continue to successfully add production and reserves with the remainder of our Gabon drilling campaign. At Côte d'Ivoire, we have the Baobab FPSO on location and is in the process of reinstallation and forecast that restarting production from the Baobab field is on track for the end of Q2 2026. We are at a critical junction, with successes in the Gabon drilling campaign and the Baobab field returning to production, and we believe that the remainder of 2026 will be very profitable. We remain focused on execution and driving meaningful growth through our organic capital programs that we believe will translate into value for our shareholders in 2026 and beyond.'
Source: VAALCO
