Houston – October 12, 2026 -- Vaalco Energy's ETSEM-3H development well offshore Gabon has stabilized at about 2,000 gross barrels of oil per day (BOPD), or 1,140 BOPD net to the company, completing the Phase 3 drilling program.
ETSEM-3H hits 300 meters of net pay in SE Etame attic position
The well was drilled, completed and placed on production in an attic position within the SE Etame field. Its lateral wellbore penetrated 300 meters of net pay in high-quality Gamba reservoir sands. ETSEM-3H is the final well of the Phase 3 campaign.
The Borr Norve drill rig has been demobilized from the field.
Vaalco starts Baobab Phase 5 drilling offshore Côte d'Ivoire
Operations in the Baobab Phase 5 campaign have begun, with the operator batch-setting top-holes. Once the top-hole sections of all wells are drilled, the wells will be completed and placed on production sequentially.
The current Phase 5 plan comprises four producers, three water injectors and two workovers. The first new producer is expected online near the end of 2026. Vaalco expects meaningful production growth in 2027.
The Baobab field was re-started in the second quarter of 2026, according to CEO George Maxwell. He said the results and the organic project pipeline support the company's strategy of growing production, reserves and shareholder value.
Early production data carries risk
Vaalco cautioned that early production data may not indicate long-term well performance.