Breaking Ground: How a Bold Oil Discovery in Gabon Could Redefine Offshore Energy
In a thrilling turn of events for the energy sector, BW Energy has struck black gold in the waters off Gabon, Africa. Using Borr Drilling’s state-of-the-art Norve jack-up rig, the Oslo-listed exploration and production (E&P) company has unveiled what it describes as a “substantial” oil discovery at the Bourdon prospect within the Dussafu license area. This discovery isn’t just a win for BW Energy—it could open the door to a new era of offshore energy development in the region.
A Game-Changing Discovery
The Bourdon prospect, located approximately 15 kilometers west of the BW Adolo floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) unit, has delivered impressive results. Drilled to a depth of 4,135 meters, the well revealed a hydrocarbon column of 45 meters, with 34 meters of high-quality oil pay in the Gamba formation. According to Panoro Energy, this marks the largest hydrocarbon column discovered in the Dussafu license to date.
Carl K. Arnet, CEO of BW Energy, couldn’t hide his excitement. “This discovery reaffirms the immense potential of the Dussafu license,” he said. “We’re now exploring the possibility of creating a new development cluster, potentially modeled after our successful MaBoMo facility.”
Unlocking New Opportunities
The Dussafu license has already proven to be a treasure trove of resources. The latest drilling campaign, which included the Bourdon well, resulted in four significant oil discoveries and eight new production wells. Combined with the six existing wells at the Tortue field, the block’s total gross production now stands at an impressive 40,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd).
John Hamilton, CEO of Panoro Energy, highlighted the broader implications of the discovery. “This success at Bourdon could lay the groundwork for a new development cluster,” he noted. “The Dussafu block is brimming with additional prospects, and we’re just scratching the surface.”
What’s Next for Borr Drilling’s Norve Rig?
The Norve jack-up rig, which played a pivotal role in this discovery, has wrapped up its assignment at Dussafu. But its journey is far from over. Borr Drilling has already secured a multi-well contract with an undisclosed operator in West Africa, set to begin in Q3 2025. Additionally, Vaalco Energy has enlisted the rig for its 2025/2026 drilling program off Gabon’s coast.
For BW Energy, the discovery means more than just a boost in production—it’s an opportunity to expand its reserves. The company plans to book additional reserves not included in its 2024 statement, further solidifying its position as a key player in the offshore energy market.
