Melrose widens Bulgaria gas search

July 22, 2011
Melrose Resources has spud the Kaliakra East exploration well in the Galata block in the Black Sea off Bulgaria.

Offshore staff

EDINBURGH, UK – Melrose Resources has spud the Kaliakra East exploration well in the Galata block in the Black Sea off Bulgaria.

The well is targeting a structure with prospective P50 resources of 59 bcf of natural gas, and should take a month to complete.

Melrose also plans to acquire 500 sq km (193 sq mi) of 3D seismic data in the block to the north of the Galata-Kaliakra field trend.

This area is thought to be on the gas migration path and contains numerous leads identified on existing 2D data. A 3D acquisition contract has been tendered and the survey should start in September this year.

Recently Melrose received formal notification from the Bulgarian government that the Galata block exploration permit has been extended to Feb. 4, 2013. The work commitment includes 3D seismic acquisition and one firm well.

Farther north in the Romanian sector, Melrose plans to acquire seismic data next summer over the Muridava and East Cobalcescu offshore blocks.

In the Mediterranean Sea off southern France, early interpretation of the 7,500 km (4,660 mi) of 2D seismic acquired on the Rhône Maritime block earlier this year has confirmed some significant structures.

Melrose and partner Noble Energy continue studies to determine whether the data exhibit any direct hydrocarbon indicators. The interpretation should be completed late this year.

07/22/2011

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