Ensco rig prepares to drill Zama offshore Mexico

May 15, 2017
Premier plans to spud its first exploration well offshore Mexico, in partnership with Talos Energy and Sierra Oil & Gas, before the end of May.

Offshore staff

LONDON – Premier plans to spud its first exploration well offshore Mexico, in partnership with Talos Energy and Sierra Oil & Gas, before the end of May.

TheENSCO 8503 semisubmersible drilling rig is en route to the Zama well location. Zama is a large structure with potential resources in the range of 100-500 MMbbl, and a well-defined flat spot on seismic, indicative of the presence of hydrocarbons.

Premier expects drilling of Zama and the secondary target Zama Deep to last up to 90 days.

Last month, the company received final processed broadband seismic data across its three blocks in the Ceara basin off Brazil, and plans to draw up well locations from this data ahead of potential drilling in 2019.

Premier is seeking to farm down its operated interests in the basin and is working with other operators in the region on well cost reduction synergies.

Off the Falklands, Premier continues to work on funding packages for theSea Lion oil project, and hopes to be in a position to sanction the development in 2018.

Elsewhere, long lead items are in place for the company’s sanctionedBison, Iguana and Gajah Puteri gas field developments offshore Indonesia, targeted for start-up in 2019.

Offshore Vietnam, production from Premier’s Chim Sao field has averaged 15,700 boe/d of late, with strong reservoir performance offsetting the field’s natural decline. Drilling of two infill wells should get under way in August.

05/15/2017