Total spuds first Gabon pre-salt well


Total Gabon has spudded the country’s first deep-water pre-salt well. Partner Cobalt Energy said the Ocean Rig Olympia drilling rig had spudded the Diaman 1 well on the Diaba block. The results will be closely watched as Gabon plans a licensing round in June for 42 new deep-water and ultra-deep blocks offering pre-salt potential. Oil minister Etienne Ngoubou told African Energy in December the government hoped to launch the round before the results of pre-salt wells planned this year by Total, Shell and Perenco are known.