African Petroleum Corp. has made a hit offshore Liberia with the drilling of the Narina-1 well on Block LB-09. The company said that drilling of the well resulted in a significant oil discovery. The well was drilled by the Maersk Deliverer to a total depth of 15,912 ft, in a water depth of 3,750 ft taking 43 days for completion.

During drilling the Narina-1 well encountered a total of 105 ft of net oil pay in two zones: 69 ft in the Turonian and 36 ft in the Albian. African Petroleum said that the oil found in both reservoirs was of good quality, 37° API and 44° API in the Turonian and Albian reservoirs, respectively.

Hydrocarbon shows were encountered over a 557 ft interval in the Turonian and no oil water contact was found.

This discovery confirms the prospectivity of both of these highly successful West African exploration plays on African Petroleum’s Blocks LB-08 and LB-09, covering 7,135 sq km. Oil was found in good quality reservoirs in a Turonian submarine fan system extending across a prospective area of 250 sq km. In addition, excellent quality oil was found in the Albian sands nearby to a very large Albian submarine fan prospect.

In the shallower Campanian, Santonian, and Coniacian horizons, 709 ft of water bearing net reservoir sands were encountered. While hydrocarbons were not expected due to absence of a prospect trap, the confirmation of good quality thick reservoir sands significantly reduces the risk in a number of large prospects covering 500 plus sq km, at these levels which are known to be oil bearing in the region. In the deeper Cenomanian and Albian 984 ft of source rocks were encountered which will be incorporated into the regional geological model to high grade the prospect portfolio as well as the surrounding open acreage.

African Petroleum operates the acreage with 100% interest.

Commenting, Karl Thompson, African Petroleum’s CEO said: “Narina-1 has identified a potentially large accumulation of light good quality oil at the Turonian level, as well as excellent quality oil in the Albian.

“Additionally, the well found thick reservoir sands in shallower zones and thick source rocks which together with the discoveries in the Turonian and Albian has transformed the prospectivity of Blocks LB-08 and LB-09, and the surrounding open acreage.

African Petroleum has again drilled a very cost effective well, without incident and has established itself amongst the leading operators in deepwater exploration. The Company is focusing on sourcing rigs and we are planning an extensive exploration and appraisal programme in Liberia during 2012.”