Melrose updates Black Sea gas reserves

Offshore staff

EDINBURGH, UK -- Melrose Resources says its Kaliakra and Kavarna gas fields in the Bulgarian sector of the Black Sea are producing at a combined rate of 46 MMcf/d. Both have been onstream for six months.

On Kavarna, pressure data suggest that the Kavarna-2 production well is in good communication with the entire reservoir, pushing proved plus probable reserves to 27 bcf, compared to the pre-production estimate of 25 bcf.

For the adjacent Kavarna East field, scheduled for development in 2012, the estimate remains at 10 bcf.

As for Kaliakra, pressure data indicate the Kaliakra-2 producer well is in communication with gas contained in the central and eastern areas of the field. However, any gas in the western area appears to be either poorly connected to the wellbore, or else this region is structurally deeper than previously thought, containing only minor gas volumes.

Melrose says further performance data and studies will be needed to resolve these uncertainties. It plans additional modeling to re-evaluate the direct hydrocarbon indicators present on seismic data over both the western and central areas of the field.

Results should determine whether further appraisal drilling is justified on the western flank of the structure. The latest findings have decreased the reserves assessment for Kaliakra-2 from 49 bcf to 33 bcf.

Melrose still aims to drill an exploration well on the Kaliakra East prospect, targeting unrisked resources of 59 bcf, and to acquire a further 500 sq km (193 sq mi) of 3D seismic data over the central area of the Galata concession.

05/06/2011