Foreign Firms to Explore Offshore Colombia
Colombia’s Agencia Nacional de Hidrocarburos (ANH) says Repsol, ExxonMobil, and state-owned Ecopetrol have signed exploration contracts for the GUA OFF-1 and COL-4 blocks in the Caribbean off northern Colombia.The planned programs will involve total commitments of more than $700 million, ANH said.GUA OFF-1 covers 400,000 ha, 78 km (48 mi) offshore the Guajira province. Repsol operates with a 50% interest, with the remainder held by Ecopetrol.COL-4 extends over a similar area, 100 km (62 mi) offshore the Bolívar province. Repsol will also operate in this case, but in a 50-50 partnership with ExxonMobil.
ffshore Gas Find in EgyptEni
has discovered gas in the Nour exploration prospect in Egypt’s Nour North Sinai Concession in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Located about 50 km (31 mi) north of the Sinai peninsula, the semisubmersible Scarabeo 9 drilled the Nour-1 new field wildcat in a water depth of 295 m (968 ft) and reached a total depth of 5,914 m (19,403 ft)
Saipem Signs Offshore Rig Deals
Saipem has won contracts for offshore drilling with a total value of more than $200 million. One involves drilling two firm plus two optional wells for Wintershall offshore Norway, using the harsh-environment semisubmersible Scarabeo 8. The rig should start the program in 2Q 2020. This is Saipem’s first campaign for the German operator. In the Middle East, the company has secured a four-year extension of a contract for its high-spec jackup Perro Negro 7, which came into force late last month. The Perro Negro 7 can operate in water depths of up to 375 ft (114 m).
Lukoil to Develop Kazakhstan BlockL
ukoil has concluded a contract with Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Energy and JSC NC KazMunayGas for exploration and development of the Zhenis block in the Caspian Sea.Zhenis Operating LLP (a 50-50 venture between Lukoil and KazMunayGas) will operate the project. Minimum work obligations include drilling of one exploration well and a 3D seismic survey. The block is in the southern part of the Kazakh sector, 80 km (49.7 mi) offshore.
Scope Assed for Woodside Projects
Woodside Energy has contracted Subsea 7 to perform engineering studies for three new projects offshore Western Australia and Senegal. In each case there is an option to proceed to the execute phase with an engineering, procurement, construction, and installation (EPCI) contract. Subsea 7’s program for the Julimar gas field, 200 km (124 mi) offshore Western Australia, involves designing, procuring, installing, and commissioning of a 22-km (13.7-mi), 18-in. corrosion-resistant alloy flowline and an umbilical system.