Offshore staff

EDINBURGH, UK -- Melrose Resources has lined up a series of seismic acquisition surveys in the Mediterranean and Black seas.

The 7,500-km (2,896 sq mi) 2D program on the Rhone Maritime concession off southern France started on Dec. 1 and should be completed in around three months.

It is designed to evaluate numerous exploration plays which have succeeded elsewhere in the Mediterranean region, including a shallow Pliocene channel sand system and structural Miocene plays beneath the Messinian salt layer.

Offshore Bulgaria, Melrose plans to acquire 500 sq km (193 sq mi) of 3D data on the Galata block to determine whether the Galata-Kaliakra gas play extends into the center of the block.

Farther north, the company is looking to acquire around 900 km (559 mi) of 2D and 1,300 sq km (502 sq mi) of 3D data on the Muridava (EX-27) and Est Cobalcescu (EX-28) concessions.

These surveys, however, are contingent on finalization of the Concession Agreements for the blocks and receipt of the regulatory approvals to start seismic operations.

12/27/2010