TOTAL - SIGNS UP FOR IVORIAN EXPLORATION Slotmore / Simonx72 - this probably does not answer your questions but thought it relevant enough to share.
It looks like TOTAL is building up an acreage position (see below article) - but on the West African side of the transform margin. Note, TOTAL describes its targets as falling along the so called "abrupt margin typicially located at the bottom of the continental shelf's downward slope."
Similarly, Murphy (on its Q4-2011 Conference Call) stated (after obtaining rights to a deepwater block in Suriname) - "[The new deepwater block in Suriname] is outboard of the block that we drilled the 2 wells on, which were dry holes. The primary reason for them being dry holes was updip seal issues. We believe that this block for the outboard and further down the slope has better opportunity for updip seal."
Moreover, Hyperdynamics also recently drilled a well (which had non-commerical oil shows) in deepwater Guinea targeting the same cretaceous aged / Jubilee analogs prospects CGX is pursuing. Hyperdynamics similary stated that they need to get further down the slope - which they would believe would have better opportunity for an up-dip seal. If you have time I would definately recommend to listen to the Hyperdynamics conference call - very information and helpful for a CGX shareholder.
Which begs the question - is CGX Eagle Deep and Jaguar prospects fit the description Murphy, TOTAL, and Hyperdynamics describe above (i.e. located on the abrupt margin)? I think so. Of course, the percentages are against me - but I am willing to ride Tullow's coat tails...
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Feb-24-2012 TOTAL last week signed three contiguous deep-water production sharing agreements with Ivorian state oil company Petroci, boosting its acreage holdings in the country.
In addition to a committed 3D seismic survey of the entire 3,200 square kilometre area, the work programme demands one well for each block in the first three-year exploration period.
In targeting the so-called abrupt margin of sediments deposited at the bottom of the continental shelf’s downward slope, senior vice president for exploration Marc Blaizot said Total is reaffirming a strategy it has already pursued in French Guiana and Mauritania.
The French major will own an operating stake of 54% in CI-514 alongside Canadian Natural Resources International’s 36% with Petroci on 10%. In CI-515 & CI-516 Total will hold a 45% stake against Anadarko Petroleum’s 45% and Petroci 10%, but will only acquire operatorship upon declaration of the first commercial discovery.
Total already operates deep-water licence CI-100 abutting Ghana’s Tano Basin in the Ivory Coast’s eastern offshore, where 1000 kilometres of 2D seismic were acquired at the end of last year ahead of planned 3D and a commitment well before the end of 2012.