Ongoing interpretation of 2-D seismic data on Kenya Block 11A has revealed the presence of several viable leads, some with closures of up to 20 sq km (7.7 sq miles), ERHC Energy Inc. said in a press release. Operator CEPSA and partner ERHC appointed BGP for the acquisition of 1,086.6 km (675 miles) of 2-D seismic data, which was acquired between April and July 2014.

"The possibility of existence of stacked reservoirs, as seen in the Lokichar Basin, could be a significant factor in computation of field volumetrics associated with these closures," said Dr. Peter Thuo, general manager of ERHC Kenya Ltd. "Completion of the ongoing detailed seismic interpretation is expected to mature these leads into drillable prospects."

Leads of similar play types, such as the ones associated with major basin-boundary faults, have been successfully tested in the Lokichar Basin, with reserves of producing more than 600 MMbbl of oil in place to date. Other significant proven fields in the region include the Muglad and Melut basins in the South Sudan with 3 Bbbl and 2 Bbbl of oil, respectively, and the Albertine Basin in Uganda with 1.7 Bbbl of oil in place.

The full tensor gravity gradiometry survey conducted earlier on the block identified two separate basins, Anam and Tarach, which cover 1,600 sq km (618 sq miles) to the west of Block 11A and 2,500 sq km (965 sq miles) to the east, respectively. The basins are estimated to contain up to 6 km to 7 km (3.7 miles to 4.3 miles) of sediments. Based on the analogy with the Lokichar Basin, burial history is sufficient to generate commercial amounts of liquid hydrocarbons.

ERHC holds a 35% interest in Block 11A after farming out a 55% stake to CEPSA Kenya Ltd., a wholly owned affiliate of Compania Espanola de Petroleos, S.A.U. (CEPSA). CEPSA is the operator of the block.