Perenco said Friday its Sputnik-1 well in offshore Gabon encountered a non-commercial pay zone.
The well is located in the Arouwe block offshore Gabon.
The Vantage Tungsten Explorer drill ship drilled Sputnik-1 to a final depth of 15,971 feet in water depths of 3,356 feet.
Perenco said the well encountered a hydrocarbon pay of up to 984 feet of net sandstone that was deemed non-commercial.
The results of Sputnik-1 will be integrated into seismic data to evaluate future plans.
The rig will leave the Arouwe block.
Perenco said that although the pay was deemed non-commercial the results are “encouraging” for what they reveal about the pre-salt play in offshore Gabon.
Perenco is the operator of the block and holds a 35 percent share. Tullow holds a 35 percent stake in the Arouwe block. ExxonMobil holds a 30 percent stake.
Perenco has headquarters in Paris and London.