The land-drilling rig ZJ50LDB is expected to take 73 days to drill Heron-1, located in onshore Mauritanian Coastal Block 20, to a total planned depth of 3800m.

The operator is CNPC International Mauritania, a subsidiary of Chinese major CNPC.

Heron-1 will primarily target the Cenomanian sands at a depth of 2200m, while secondary potential also exists at 3600m in the Albian-Aptian sand and limestone interval.

“The drilling of Heron-1 has been in planning for over five years ever since the data relating to the onshore portion of the Coastal Basin was first reviewed by us,” Baraka chief executive and managing director Max de Vietri said.

“We are genuinely excited by this drill program, not only because of the milestone it creates for Baraka and CNPCIM, but also because we see it is a step towards the development of the oil and gas industry onshore Mauritania, following the country’s recently announced first offshore commercial production.”

De Vietri said all preparatory drilling work, including government approvals, construction of an access road, pad, camp and facilities, were well advanced and would be completed by the spud date, which subject to weather conditions, is expected to be in the week following September 20.

Following Heron-1, CNPC International Mauritania will use the rig to drill an exploration well in neighbouring coastal Block 12, in which Baraka does not have an interest.

Interests in Heron are CNPC 65% and Baraka 35%.