Offshore staff

SYDNEY, Australia – Rialto Energy expects drilling on its suspended Gazelle-P3 well off Cote d’Ivoire to resume in the next 24 hours.

The Transocean GSF Monitor jackup spudded the well in mid-March as the first of a three-well campaign on block CI-202.

After reaching a depth of 1,070 m (3,510 ft), the drill pipe became stuck. While trying to free the drill pipe, mechanical problems occurred with the rig equipment. These have been rectified by contractor, Transocean.

The rig can now start drilling the 17.5-in. (44-cm) hole section, and testing of the well should follow in around 45 days.

4/17/2012