US independent Kosmos wasted no time at the end of October in calling the results of its Orca-1 wildcat 125km off the coast of Mauritania not only a “major gas discovery” but “the largest deepwater hydrocarbon discovery in the world this year” (MEES, 1 November).

Operator BP (62%) has taken its time to echo the bullishness of former operator Kosmos (28%). But in a 16 December release, BP confirmed that the “Orca-1 well in Block C8 offshore Mauritania successfully encountered all five of the gas sands originally targeted. The well was then further deepened to reach an additional target, which also encountered gas.” (CONTINUED - 495 WORDS)