West African-focused Canadian Overseas Petroleum (COPL) reports it has suffered a setback in its plans to partner with ExxonMobil exploring offshore Liberia after a breakout of the deadly Ebola virus.

Recently formed COPL has a 17% stake equity stake in block LB13, which is operated by ExxonMobil. Together the two explorers are progressing technical work to evaluate the prospectivity of the block, which is estimated to contain up to 2.6 Bbbl of gross recoverable oil on a P50 basis, according to an independent reserves evaluator.

Highlighting the health issue encountered in Liberia, COPL said in a second quarter update that it is continuing to advance its work on the LB13 project “...with recent technical work adding substantially to the geological model of the block”. While new prospects have been mapped and identified by partnership, COPL added: “Drilling on Block LB-13 has been delayed due to the recent Ebola virus outbreak in the region resulting in a reduced presence of expatriates in country.”

Block LB13 covers 2,500 sq km (985 sq miles) and drilling targets have been identified by COPL in Cretaceous turbidite stratigraphic sand traps.

COPL’s share of drilling costs on the block will be US $120 million, carried by operator ExxonMobil.

Drilling was expected to start this year, COPL has previously indicated, once a rig and support services became available. The company acquired its 17% equity after two transactions finalised in 2013 with Peppercoast Petroleum and ExxonMobil.

Previously COPL obtained access to 3-D seismic acquired over LB13 in 2010, which led the company to suggest the area had similarities to deepwater discoveries offshore neighbouring Sierra Leone and Ghana. Subsequently the company commissioned an independent reserves evaluator to analyse the top 13 prospects identified in LB13, which resulted in the 2.6?MMbbl P50 gross recoverable oil reserves estimate.

Offshore