According to the company, it had commenced drilling this development well in November 2008 with the jack-up rig Adriatic 6. The first pilot hole was drilled to the south of the original Ebouri discovery and a second pilot hole was drilled to the northwest of the original discovery.

Both of these pilot holes were successful in delineating additional Gamba sandstone reservoir above the oil water contact, thereby increasing the acreage and reserves of the Ebouri field, said the oil company.
The development well was completed horizontally on the same orientation as the second pilot hole. Vaalco has a 28.1% working interest in the Etame license area.

Robert Gerry, chairman and CEO of Vaalco, said: “I am pleased to begin 2009 with the drilling two wells and appraisal well in the Ebouri field. Our drilling program continues at a good pace with all the expectations around.”

Vaalco Energy is a Houston based independent energy company principally engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development and production of crude oil. Its strategy is to increase reserves and production through the exploration of oil and natural gas properties with emphasis on international opportunities. The Company’s properties and exploration acreage are located primarily in Gabon and Angola, West Africa.