AGR manages the drilling of a frontier deepwater well in West Africa

Our Well Management team successfully assisted in managing the drilling of Atum-1X, the first-ever deepwater exploration well offshore Guinea-Bissau. Together with and on behalf of Apus Energia Guinea-Bissau S.A. and Petroguin (Empresa Nacional de Pesquisa e Exploracao Petroliferas EP), AGR delivered this true frontier wildcat well offshore Guinea-Bissau, completing it on time and within budget.

Drilling operations were conducted in the Sinapa license area using the Ocean BlackRhino (pictured) ultra-deepwater drillship.

Atum-1X was a high-potential prospect with firm regulatory requirements, including a commitment to spud the well within nine months of initiating the planning phase.

The project required rapid execution and expert well project management. Our team delivered under pressure, ensuring every stage of the operation was executed safely, efficiently, and in full compliance with all regulatory standards, Apus Energy’s AGR adopted Company Management System and Well Delivery Process.

The Challenge

The project was carried out in a region where no offshore well had been drilled in over 20 years, underscoring both the strategic importance of Atum-1X and its technical complexity.

As a result, this West Africa drilling campaign presented unique challenges and a range of operational uncertainties.

Remote location & limited offset well data: No local infrastructure, limited regulatory frameworks, and minimal historical drilling activity

Tight timeline: The project had a 9-month window from contract award to spud, requiring rapid mobilisation and drilling execution

No infrastructure in place & logistical complexity: Short lead times for key equipment such as wellheads and casing, requiring global mobilisation and swift procurement

Limited supply base & operational readiness: Establishment of a fully functional operational base in Dakar, Senegal, from which the exploration drilling campaign would be supported

(pictures from the base in Dakar, Senegal)

How our well project management team made a difference

Working alongside the technical team of the Operator, we provided end-to-end well project management and offshore operations, including:

Well Design and Drilling Engineering: our well management team developed a robust well construction design tailored for a deepwater, high-risk environment.
Supply Chain Management & Logistics: our well management project team sourced and delivered all equipment globally, managing long lead times and customs processes
Contracting: we led contract strategy and vendor negotiations to secure quality and cost efficiency.
Operational planning and drilling execution: we created detailed plans covering every phase of the drilling process.
Regulatory & HSE Management: we implemented rigorous safety frameworks to ensure incident-free operations.
Onsite Execution Supervision: we mobilised a dedicated offshore and onshore operations team, including personnel stationed in Dakar before spud.

What value did we bring to this frontier drilling project?

This West Africa deepwater frontier well was delivered on time and on budget in a tight time scale
No HSE incidents
Ensuring compliance and preserving the license terms
We established a regional supply base that enabled efficient mobilisation of materials and crew, resulting in zero non-productive time (NPT).
The well successfully reached its targets, and the preliminary drilling results from Atum-1X hold strategic significance for guiding future exploration efforts in the region.

Why Clients Choose AGR for West Africa drilling

We are the trusted partner for well project management in West Africa. With deepwater expertise from over 40 wells in the region, a global track record of more than 780 well projects, and an agile execution approach, we strive to deliver results, even under the most challenging conditions.

Our clients rely on us to deliver:

Full-scope well management from concept to completion
Commitment to safety, budget control, and technical excellence
Access to carefully selected well engineers with experience in frontier and high-risk wells
Proven ability to manage complex projects in areas with limited regulatory frameworks and infrastructure
Operational readiness for harsh and remote environments
Global contractor and supplier network enabling rapid mobilisation and efficient supply chain

Well Kill

AGR manages the drilling of a frontier deepwater well in West Africa

The Challenge

How our well project management team made a difference

What value did we bring to this frontier drilling project?

Why Clients Choose AGR for West Africa drilling

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