VAALCO Energy Announces Successful Drilling of North Tchibala 2H-ST Well and Provides Operational Update on FSO and Field Reconfiguration at Etame

HOUSTON, Sept. 27, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VAALCO Energy Inc. (NYSE: EGY; LSE: EGY) ("VAALCO" or the "Company") today announced the successful drilling of the North Tchibala 2H-ST well that was drilled from the Southeast Etame North Tchibala (“SEENT”) platform in the Etame field, offshore Gabon. Additionally, the Company provided an operational update on the Teli Floating Storage and Offloading vessel (“FSO”) installation and field reconfiguration at Etame.

Drilling and Completion Highlights

• Successfully drilled and cemented 9-5/8-inch casing string with multiple potentially productive sands in the Dentale 18/19 pay zones behind casing;
• Encountered nearly 100 meters of gross Dentale pay sands (72 meters net), exceeding expectations;
  • The Dentale 18/19 sands initially targeted for production in this well are analogous to Dentale sands previously productive in the North Tchibala field, with similar porosity and permeability;
  • Additional Dentale sands were encountered in the wellbore that can be targeted for testing and production in the future;
• Preparing to complete the North Tchibala 2H-ST well utilizing a fracture stimulation vessel that will provide support with multiple stimulation and frac-pack operations;
• Following clean up and stabilization of flow rate, VAALCO expects a stable flow rate by the end of October.

FSO and Field Reconfiguration Highlights

• Permanently moored the Teli FSO in position and final connections of the production risers that will deliver oil to the Teli from the Etame Platform are in progress;
• Disconnected and rerouted all except two production lines to the Petroleo Nautipa Floating Production, Storage and Offloading unit (“FPSO”) preparing for decommissioning, demobilization and retirement of service of the FPSO as planned;
• Installed over 90% of the approximately 5,100 meters of new subsea, flexible pipe for the reconfiguration of the Etame field;
• Installed all new structural deck extensions at the Etame platform and installed all equipment packages required for first oil, allowing the Etame platform to serve as the central processing hub for the Etame field once reconfiguration is complete;
• Expect completion of all FSO and first oil field reconfiguration activities in the first week of October 2022.