Tullow Oil’s exploration well, Gardim-1, which it drilled in the eastern flank of Chew Bahir Basin in Ethiopia is announced to have failed find commercial levels of oil.

According to Irish Times, the well intersected lacustrine and volcanic formations, similar to those found in the Shimela-1 well on the north-western flank of the basin.

The well was drilled for a total depth of 2,468 metres in basement, without encountering commercial oil.

Commenting on the situation the exploration director, Angus McCoss, said, “We have now drilled two independent wildcat wells in the Chew Bahir Basin, neither of which encountered commercial oil”.

He furthered, “Whilst our analysis continues, initial indications suggest that the targeted seismic anomalies related to lavas that flowed into a lake basin”.

The well will now be plugged and abandoned.

Source: Irish Times