The deployment of the West Capella drillship to Cyprus’ EEZ has already been announced and now the rig has set its sights on going deeper in its explorations – this time in the ‘Onisiforos’ reservoir of Block 11, InCyprus reports.
Earlier this month, ENI finalised a farm-in agreement with TOTAL to acquire a 50 percent participating interest in Block 11.
The West Capella is reportedly on the lookout for hydrocarbons but also the possibility of petrol.
Seadrill Partners LLC had secured a one-well contract with TOTAL E&P Cyprus B.V. for the West Capella, offshore Cyprus.
The contract is expected to start in the second half of 2017 and backlog, estimated at 50 days, is expected to be approximately US$10 million.
The West Capella has recently been upgraded with a managed pressure drilling (MPD) system, which is expected to be utilised as part of the upcoming work scope.
MPD provides a closed-loop circulation system in which pore pressure, formation fracture pressure, and bottom-hole pressure are balanced and managed at surface. Drilling fluid is supplemented by surface backpressure, which can be adjusted much faster in response to down hole conditions compared with changing mud weights conventionally.
Although it originated as a solution to "undrillable” wells, today wells of all types can use the technique to manage critical down hole pressures more effectively, leading to improved drilling efficiency and enhanced safety.
The agreement, which sees Total remain operator of the block, had been approved by the Cabinet. With this transaction, ENI acquires the right to explore an area of 855 square miles close to Zohr.
ENI has been present in Cyprus since 2013 through its subsidiary ENI Cyprus Ltd and holds exploration rights on Blocks 9, 3 and 2 (ENI 80 percent, Kogas 20 percent), awarded in the second round.
(www.goldnews.com.cy, March 29, 2017)
