The Block 49 licence covers an area of 15 439 km2. More than 11 000 km of 2D seismic data that has been acquired by previous operators has been made available to Tethys Oil. Nine wells have been drilled within the block boundaries, several of which are reported to have encountered oil shows. Among the legacy wells is the first well ever drilled in Oman in 1955 (Dauka-1).
The exploration and production sharing agreement (EPSA) for Block 49 covers an initial exploration period of three years with an optional extension period of another three years. In case of a commercial oil or gas discovery, the EPSA will be transformed in to a 15 year production license which can be extended for another five years. In case of a commercial discovery Oman Government Company, has a right to acquire up to a 30% interest in Block 49 against refunding of past expenditure. The initial work commitments during the first period include geological studies, seismic acquisition and processing and exploratory drilling.
"We are extremely pleased with having been awarded Block 49 and would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere thanks to the Government of Sultanate of Oman. Block 49 is the kind of opportunity Tethys Oil has been pursuing for some time. The Block covers an area with known oil shows, has a limited initial financial risk and offers several as yet immature but potentially very prolific play concepts. After more than ten years in Oman, Tethys Oil has built a strong technical team. As operator of the block, we are confident our Omani experience will be well suited to make Block 49 into a success," says Tethys Managing Director Magnus Nordin.
