OMV Petrom and NewMed Energy have signed a rig contract with Noble Corporation for the drilling of two offshore exploration wells on the Han-Asparuh Block in the Bulgarian Black Sea.
The Han-Asparuh block is located in the western Black Sea and covers an area of over 13,700 square kilometres, with water depths reaching just below 2,000 metres. Exploration activities in the block began in 2012 and have included the drilling of three previous exploration wells and an extensive 3D seismic campaign that was finalised in May 2020.
OMV said the new drilling campaign is expected to start in the fourth quarter of this year and last approximately four months. The value of the rig contract is approximately $80 million, with a total expected drilling budget of approximately €170 million ($199.7 million).
The contract was awarded for Noble's drillship Globetrotter I. Integrated drilling services for the campaign will be provided by Halliburton, with well testing services provided by SLB.