Offshore staff
CALGARY, Canada –Drilling should begin shortly of an exploration well on the Muridava block in the Black Sea off Romania. According to partner Sterling Resources, the well could take up to two months to complete.
In the same sector, the company adds, interpretation continues of new 2D seismic acquired over theoffshore Midia and Pelican blocks, and a 3D survey was due to start this month on the Luceafarul block.
Further 3D seismic should follow next year, based on analysis of results from the Ioana and Eugenia exploration wells drilled on the Midia and Pelican blocks.
At the same time, Sterling is looking to close a sale to ExxonMobil and OMV Petrom of a 65% stake in part of block 15 Midia, first announced in October 2012. Closure requires approval from the Romanian government. Assuming sanction, Sterling will receive $29.25 million with further payments linked to future exploration success on the area sold.
Next year, Sterling is also looking to sell-down its equity interests in all its Romanian Black Sea licenses.
In the Dutch North Sea, Sterling is a partner in the F17 and F18 licenses, both of which have been awarded extensions until August 2014; a further three-year extension could follow if the partners commit to acquire 3D seismic over the area.
Finally, in the UK northern North Sea the semisubTransocean John Shaw is drilling the first development well on the TAQA Bratani-operated Cladhan field. This is an appraisal well to the north of the field which will then side track to the development location as a water injector.
TAQA plans two subsea producer wells along with the water injector all tied back 17 km (10.6 mi) to the company’s Tern platform. Here some redundant modules are being cleared to provide space for the new Cladhan processing equipment and flowlines. First oil from Cladhan is due in early 2015.
11/25/2013
