Noble, Melrose review future of block offshore southern France

March 28, 2012
Interpretation is nearing completion of a new 2D seismic survey on the deepwater Rhône Maritime concession offshore southern France.

Offshore staff

EDINBURGH, UK – Interpretation is nearing completion of a new 2D seismic survey on the deepwater Rhône Maritime concession offshore southern France.

Operator Noble Energy and partner Melrose Resources commissioned TGS Nopec to conduct the block-wide,7,500-km (4,660-mi) survey which was completed in early 2011.

According to Melrose, the two primary exploration objectives are presalt Miocene and postsalt Pliocene plays that may be analogous to similar plays in the eastern Mediterranean offshore Egypt, Israel, and Cyprus.

Once the results are available, the partners will define their forward work program which may comprise 3D seismic and/or drilling. In parallel, Melrose has applied to enter the second term of the exploration license which is currently set to expire in November 2015.

Offshore Bulgaria, Melrose has completed acquisition of 512 sq km (197 sq mi) of 3D seismic on theGalata block in the Black Sea to evaluate an area north of the Galata-Kaliakra field trend.

This area contains the Chaika structure, identified from previous 2D data. The new survey will serve to confirm the prospective resource estimate and to optimize future drilling plans for the block.

Melrose has secured an extension to the Galata concession until February 2013, when it may apply for a further two-year extension period.

Currently the company is looking to progress the Kavarna East development, having received a Commerciality Certificate for the field last year. It then applied for the Production Concession which should be granted by mid-2012.

The field has proved plus probable reserves of 9.8 bcf and will be developed in 2013 using a shared subsea flow line with the Kavarna field.

Offshore Romania to the north, Melrose plans to acquire 3D seismic this year over its new shallow water Muridava andEst Cobalcescu concessions, followed eventually by a six-well program.

3/28/2012