Noble Corp. confirmed today with Offshore that its Globetrotter I drillship is offshore Bulgaria and has spudded the Vinekh-1 exploration well in the Black Sea for operator OMV Petrom and partner NewMed Energy, on time and as previously announced by OMV.
The well location is 200 km east of Varna in the Han Asparuh Block, in just under 2,000 m of water depth. Another well will follow, with the combined cost estimated at about Eur170 million (US$198.7 million).
Halliburton is providing integrated drilling services, with SLB managing well testing. The two-well campaign should continue for five months.
Previous operator TotalEnergies began activities on the block in 2012, initially via geological and geophysical surveys followed by three exploratory wells.
A subsequent 3D seismic survey identified potential new drilling targets.
