Kavarna No. 1 well strikes gas

Offshore staff

LONDON -- The Kavarna No. 1 well has proved gas according to Melrose Resources. The well, offshore Bulgaria, was drilled to TD of 2,899 ft (884 m) by the jackup Prometeu and encountered the top of the Paleocene reservoir target at 2,628 ft (801 m).

While conditioning the wellbore for open-hole logging, a strong gas influx occurred. For safety reasons, the company has plugged the well, which will immediately be re-drilled.

Following Kavarna, thePrometeu will perform an extended well test on the GE3-Kaliakra No.1 discovery well. The Kaliakra discovery is approximately 15 km (9.3 mi) east of the Galata field and is estimated to contain reserves of up to 47 bcf.

Kaliakra is being developed using a subsea tie-back to the Galata platform with first gas scheduled for 3Q 2009. Development plans are being formulated for the Kavarna discovery and first production is expected in 2010, the company says.

10/30/2008