SOCO EPC, operator of the Marine XI Block offshore the Republic of Congo, has completed drilling the exploration well Lidongo X Marine 101 (LXM-101), according to a press release.

The well encountered oil in a clastics sequence in the Djeno sand formation with drilling shows and early log interpretation indicating about a 50-m (164-ft) gross interval.

Located 23 km (14 miles) northwest of Pointe Noire in a water depth of about 45 m (148 ft), the LXM-101 well was drilled to a total depth of 2,665 m (8,743 ft) after penetrating the target hydrocarbon zone. Analysis of the logs over the hydrocarbon zone indicates petrophysical parameters in line with those published for the Litchendjili Field on the adjacent Marine XII Block operated by Eni.

Due to the tight nature of the reservoir sands a 20-m (66-ft) section has been selected for testing.