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From Bulgaria

13.12.2017 13:27

Total is preparing for a third exploration well in Block “1-21 Han Asparuh”

AUTHOR: publics.bg

© Ministry of Energy

Total is preparing for a third exploration well in Block “1-21 Han Asparuh”, according to information the company’s website. The methodology and processes are same as these that were applied for the first exploration well Polshkov-1 (completed and abandoned on 05.09.2016) and Rubin-1 well, which currently is in process of drilling. Three options for drilling locations are considered currently and selection will be made upon results from Rubin-1 well, according the announcement on the website. We remind that under the work programme, the company is obliged to drill only two wells.

The considered drilling locations are located at a considerable distance from any protected areas or areas of cultural heritage. Due to great distance from shore (more than 100 km from Varna) it is not expected to have impact on the coastal activities or fishing resources under normal operations. As the drilling operations are performed in open sea, there will be no building of new road and technical infrastructure or changes to existing road infrastructure. There are no new facilities to be constructed for the drilling operations. The operations will use existing facilities and infrastructure in local port base of Lesport, Varna. Support vessels and helicopters will be required to support drilling operations, Total explained.

The drilling operations are short in time and will be performed in a manner that aims to minimise the impact on the environment. This will be achieved largely through the proper handling and disposal of materials and generated wastes, discharges and emissions (typical wastes for drilling activities are expected to be produced). The operator, Total E&P Bulgaria B.V., will ensure that environmental performance of contractors is continuously monitored and audited. The identification of impacts based on an evaluation of the nature, intensity, scope and duration of impacts concludes that impacts generated during the normal operation of the exploration drilling will typically be temporary in nature and localised in extent.

The investment initiative for drilling of the third exploration well has been duly notified to the competent authorities at the earliest stage, Total pointed out. On grounds of Art.6 of the EIA Ordinance interested parties may access the information related to the abovementioned investment initiative, as per Schedule 2 to the said EIA Ordinance, and submit their written opinions at the following address: Total E&P Bulgaria B.V. - Bulgaria Branch, 69 Bulgaria blvd, Infinity Tower, floor 13, Sofia 1404. The information may be accessed and reviewed on a paper copy at the above address until 23 December, 2017. Within the same term, interested parties may submit written opinions on the information provided, by post or by email at the contact details provided here above.

We also remind that after Total E&P Bulgaria successfully completed the first Polshkov-1 well in September last year, the company announced in its third quarterly report of 2016 that it has discovered hydrocarbons, but there has been no follow-up yet.

A year later, in the end of September 2017, the company announced the start of drilling a second exploration well – Rubin-1 – which, according to Total, would bring additional information to further assess the hydrocarbon potential of the Han Asparuh Block. Drilling operations for Rubin-1 are expected to last until early 2018.

The oil and gas exploration and production contract in Block “1-21 Han Asparuh with the consortium of French Total, Austrian OMV and Spanish Repsol is in force since September 2012 with Total holding operatorship. Its length is 5 year, but in April the government allowed the contract to be extended by 135 days. The four-and-a-half-month extension was requested by Total, after it invoked a force majeure by presenting a Force Majeure Certificate by the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Commerce and Industry, certifying a delay of 135 days.