BOP hitch halts deepwater India well

Offshore staff

LONDON -- Reliance Industries has suspended the KGV-D3-W1 exploration well in the Krishna-Godavari basin off eastern India, due to concerns over the BOP of the drilling rig Deepwater Expedition.

The well spudded April 2 and reached MD 2,608 m (8,556 ft), at which point intermediate casing was set. Operator Transocean encountered a problem with the BOP’s control system, but was unable to resolve the issue satisfactorily, leading to the decision to suspend the well. Reliance and partner Hardy Oil and Gas plan to re-enter the well when possible with an alternative deepwater rig.

KGV-D3-W1 was drilled in a water depth of 1,653 m (5,423 ft). Its targeted depth is 3,514 (10,348 ft), the aim being to explore the hydrocarbon potential of Mio-Pliocene sands.

The D3 license covers an area of around 3,288 sq km (1,269 sq mi). Reliance holds a 90% interest, with Hardy owning 10%.

06/03/2010