UAE-based Dana Gas now officially owns a share in one of the blocks of an oil and gas rich offshore province in Guinea.

The Nigeria-São Tomé and Príncipe Joint Development Authority (JDA) have formally approved the change in share ownership of Hercules/Centurion interest in the Joint Development Zone (JDZ) Block 4, to Dana Gas, the company said in a statement.

Based upon the approval, Dana Gas currently holds 10 per cent participating interest in Block 4, it added.

The JDZ is an emerging hydrocarbon province with world class prospects and moderate risk, located in the vicinity of several of the deep water Nigeria giant oilfields. 

Block 4 covers an area of 857 square kilometres and is situated 10km southwest of the recently announced OBO-1 discovery. Block 4 is operated by Addax, which is actively pursuing various drill ship options to secure a slot to spud the first of three commitment wells prior to the end of 2008. Dana Gas’ share of the well cost is budgeted at $ 6.1 million.

The 2008 Budget has been approved by the partners and final approval by the JDA was granted at the Management Committee Meeting held December 11, 2007 in Abuja, Nigeria.

“This is a major development for Dana Gas in Africa,” said Dana Gas General Manager Rahid Saif Al Jarwan,. “We are very pleased that we have obtained the approval of JDA, which will have a significant impact on our business in the African Continent.”

The Nigeria-São Tomé & Príncipe Joint Development Zone (JDZ) is an area of overlapping maritime boundary claims that is being jointly developed by the two countries. The Heads of State of Nigeria and of São Tomé & Príncipe agreed on the joint development of resources in this region, with agreements ratified in February 2001.

Dana Gas, currently the sixth largest gas producer in Egypt, has recently exceeded 2007 production goals by producing 32 thousand barrels of oil per day equivalent, which continuous to bring significant development potential to Egypt. – TradeArabia News Service