(Ecofin Agency) - Solo Oil in its update on the Ntorya appraisal well in Tanzania, announced that the site being prepared for the Ntorya-2 appraisal well has now been completed and the mobilization of the Caroil 2 rig from the Ntorya-1 well site is currently in progress.

The Ntorya-2 pad is situated about 1.5 km to the southwest of the Ntorya-1 well. The rig and associated equipment presently being transported to the new site, will be rigged up and tested, and will afterwards go through any necessary maintenance.

The company estimates that the Ntorya-2 appraisal well will possibly be drilled in December, 2016.

Solo Oil has a 25% interest in the Ruvuma Petroleum Sharing Agreement (PSA) which contains the Ntorya gas condensate find made in 2012 and the Ntorya-1 well which was tested at a rate of 20.1Mmscfd and 139bpd of condensate.

The Ruvuma PSA is operated by Aminex who hold the remaining 75% working interest.

Ntorya-1 in an independent report by Senergy (GB) has been said to hold gross 153 Bcf of gas in place, whereby 70 bcf are considered gross best estimate contingent resources. Another gross best estimate of undiscovered gas in place of more than 1 tcf has been ascribed to the Ntorya Prospect in total.

The Ntorya discovery is situated 20 km from the 36” Mtwara to Dar es Salaam gas pipeline which transports gas from various fields, including the Kiliwani North Field where Solo holds a 7.125% interest, to gas markets, north of Tanzania, Energy-pedia reports.

“Advancing the Ntorya appraisal and its commercialization is now a key objective for Solo and we are pleased that rig mobilization is now underway.  The discovery of gas in high quality Cretaceous sandstone reservoirs in the onshore portion of the Ruvuma Basin represents very significant value and we look forward to confirmation of the spud date in due course,” Neil Ritson, Solo Oil’s Chairman said.

Anita Fatunji