The government of Senegal has given Cairn Energy permission to proceed with a multi-well exploration and appraisal program for two discoveries, according to a news release.

Cairn plans to begin a 3-D seismic acquisition program in third-quarter 2015, and core and test three appraisal and exploration wells starting in fourth-quarter 2015. The company estimates the two discoveries made in 2014 have a gross mean risked resource base of more than 1 billion barrels, the release said.

The FAN-1 well, located in 1,427 m water depth, is about 100 km offshore in the Sangomar Deep Block. The SNE-1 well, located in 1,100 m water depth, is also about 100 km offshore in the Sangomar Offshore Block.

Cairn has a 40% working interest in the Sangomar Deep, Sangomar Offshore and Rufisque blocks offshore Senegal. Joint venture partners are ConocoPhillips, 35%; FAR Ltd., 15% and Petrosen, 10%.