Block 5B contains the southerly extension of the structural trend that is developed in the explored blocks to the northwest. Prospectivity has been identified at relatively shallow levels on both the west and east flanks of the basin and exploration drilling is planned to commence in 2008. Drilling will use both a dry land conventional onshore rig and a barge mounted unit for drilling in the Nile swamp are. 2D seismic data acquisition is continuing and new data are being incorporated into the understanding of the block.

Block 5B in the southern area of Sudan consists of approximately 20,000 km2 of un-drilled acreage. During 2007, activities have been delayed due to the slow implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement which required the setting up of institutions to deal with the oil issue. This took place in 2007 when the National Petroleum Commission gave its endorsement of WNPOC and its right to conduct operations in Block 5B. Exploration drilling is expected to begin in Q1 2008.

On the ground operations began in earnest in 2006, with some 440 km of seismic data being acquired, and continued into the first half of 2007 as a further 600 km of data were recorded. Parallel studies using this and older seismic led to the identification of a series of relatively shallow structural closures analogous to those successfully drilled in neighbouring Block 5A.

A four well drilling programme has been scheduled for 2008

Exploration
Lundin Petroleum carries significant quantities of prospective resources in Block 5B, Sudan. By analogy with Block 5A, a relatively heavy oil is expected to be found in the Cretaceous clastic sediments in structural traps that have many features in common with the discoveries made in Block 5A.

The drilling programme initially scheduled three exploratory wells on the eastern flank of the basin at Wan Machar (formerly Umm Dandalo), Barada and Kasafa locations. In this region, the terrain comprises swamp, and therefore specially designed site preparation and drilling equipment has been developed to allow operations in this difficult environment. The first well on the eastern flank, Wan Machar, is scheduled to commence drilling in 2008. This will be followed by another swamp area well, Barada-1.

Drilling commenced on the west flank of the basin with the Nyal-1 well using a dry land rig in Q1 2008. The well found the target Aradeiba and Bentiu sandstones as forecasted, underlain by shales of the Abu Gabra formation, which constitutes the regional source rock. Minor gas shows were encountered from 1,475 metres to TD, but no oil shows were recorded. Logs have been acquired and the well samples and data, as well as the newly acquired log data, will be analysed and studied in further detail in the coming months.

Seismic data acquisition continues and along with further sub-surface work is expected to lead to the identification of further prospectivity.