Simba Essel Energy Inc (CVE:SMB) says consultant Sproule International has completed an NI - 51-101 report for block 2A in Wajir, Kenya, identifying 29 leads, ahead of exploration drilling.
In total, Sproule puts the gross unrisked undiscovered petroleum initially in-place at 437.7 MMboe (million barrels of oil or equivalent).
Simba said it planned to sink an exploration well of around 3,000 metres next year in block 2A to test two or more intervals - to fulfill the first part of its drilling commitment to the production-sharing contract on block 2A.
Sproule is familiar with East Africa rift systems and has already interpreted all available seismic and well data in the region surrounding block 2A.
Sproule's work in this case consisted of an assessment of prospective resources of the firm's interests within the block 2A in the Mandera basin in Kenya.
Five main horizons were identified - the youngest of these, Ken 6, is interpreted to be lower Jurassic (Liassic).
Four other deeper seismic markers of uncertain age were also evaluated. These horizons are from youngest to oldest, Ken 5 (Triassic), Post-Rift, Upper Syn-Rift, Lower Syn-Rift and Basement.
Twenty-nine leads and prospects have been mapped seismically at the Ken 5, Upper Syn-Rift and Lower-Syn-Rift levels and low, best and high estimates of undiscovered petroleum in place and prospective resources have been calculated.
"The portion of the Mandera basin underlying block 2A is prospective as it exhibits a petroleum system with a trend of improving reservoir quality upward in the possible hydrocarbon-bearing leads and prospects," said Simba in a regulatory statement.
The company said it was mulling additional seismic to further detail prospects and to choose the best location for drilling. The aim is to develop a dual- or triple-prospect location.