Marlin-B1ST, the first well of five planned development wells, is currently flowing an average of 1,100 bpd of 26° API oil through a 35/64 inch choke. The well encountered 62 metres of gross pay in the Cenomanian interval; an 18.5 metre section of this interval was oil bearing, of which a 6.4 metre section has been perforated. It was drilled in 100 metres of water and reached a total depth of 2,660 metres. Drilling of the top holes of the remaining wells in this phase of the development programme is ongoing.

The Marlin platform was installed in April 2015 as part of a four-year, US$1bn expansion programme to bring the Marlin oil and gas field and the Manta gas field on production. The platform will double block CI-27’s hydrocarbons treatment capacity and increase the supply and the reliability of gas deliveries.

The first platform on the block has been in operation since 1999 and processes gas and liquids from the Foxtrot and Mahi fields.

Foxtrot International operates block CI-27 with a 24 per cent direct stake. Other partners on the block are the state oil company, PETROCI (40 per cent), SECI (24 per cent) and ENERCI (12 per cent). Foxtrot International also has a 27.27 per cent interest in ENERCI.

RAK Petroleum has a one-third ownership of Foxtrot International through Mondoil Enterprises, whose overall stake in block CI-27 is 9.1 per cent.

In 2015, gas production from block CI-27 till the end of Q3 averaged 145mn cfd. Production of oil and condensates from the block averaged just below 1,000 bpd before the new well started.