Madagascar Block 1101

Block 1101 is located on the eastern flank of the Ambilobe basin in northern Madagascar. The Block encompasses an area of approximately 14,900km² (3.7 million acres) onshore and lies adjacent to the Exxon-operated Ampasindava Block and Sterling Energy' Ambilobe Block into which Exxon has farmed in. The operator is Candax Energy (60%) with Black Marlin retaining the remaining 40%. Black Marlin's net area under licence is 5,960km² (1.5 million acres).

There has to date been limited exploration activity in the block with one well drilled in 1901 near the village of Ankaramy (to 193 metres) and a second well drilled in 1963. Neither well penetrated the Karoo formation. The block was held by Maxus and Triton Energy in the 1990's. Triton was later bought out by Amerada Hess Corporation, before the latter relinquished the Malagasy offshore acreage that was later to be acquired by Sterling Energy Plc. Recently some 220km of 2-D seismic has been acquired over the southern area of the block. The main exploration target are sands of the Isalo formation. There are proven heavy oil accumulations in the Isalo formation in Central Madagascar such as Bermolanga and Tsimiroro, indicating good reservoir conditions.