Yemen

Quick Facts

  • Concession Holder and Operator for Block 2 and 9 of 4,000 sq. km each; Concessions obtained in 1991.
  • International partners included British Gas and Clyde Petroleum of United Kingdom, Louisiana Land and Exploration of the US, and Itochu Oil Exploration Co. Ltd and Indonesia Petroleum Ltd of Japan.
  • Exploration work included 2,000 km of seismic acquisition, processing, interpretation, and the drilling of seven exploration wells.
  • Hydrocarbon shows were found and wells tested oil, but not in commercial quantities. Concessions were subsequently relinquished.

Crescent Petroleum was concession holder and operator for Blocks 2 and 9 in Yemen under a Production Sharing Agreement from January 1991, leading a consortium of international partners. Operatorship of Block 9 was later transferred to British Gas.

Exploration activities included seismic acquisition, processing and interpretation, surface geological surveys, and the drilling of seven wells across both blocks. The programme required significant logistical effort, including the construction of access roads, mobilisation of rigs and camp facilities, and operations in remote and challenging terrain. Hydrocarbon shows were found and certain wells tested oil; however, results were not commercial.

Concessions were handed back to the Government of Yemen after completion of the work program.