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12.04.2017 12:00- Han Asparuh Block map
© Bulgarian Ministry of Energy
French oil major Total has requested a prolongation of the exploration period for oil and natural gas in offshore Block 1-21 Han Asparuh, in the exclusive economic zone of Bulgaria on the Black Sea.
The Bulgarian Council of Ministers decided on Wednesday to grant Total another 135 days, taking into consideration a force majeure certificate issued by the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry testifying of a delay of 135 days which was presented by the contract holder.
In end-October 2016 Total, which works together with Austria’s OMV and Spain’s Repsol, said it has discovered oil in the Black Sea block Han Asparuh. Noble Drilling was contracted for the exploratory wells, with operations starting on April 19 2016. The consortium won the exploration tender in July 2012.
When signing its contract with the Bulgarian government in 2012 Total said this was a “high-risk, but promising exploration”. The Bulgarian government has been vocal about the potential given the significant discoveries in neighbouring Romanian waters.
Then-ambassador of France to Bulgaria Xavier Xavier Lapeyre de Cabanes said Total would invest EUR 250 m in its operations in Varna, making it the biggest French investment in Bulgaria thus far.
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