Lukoil deepwater gas find offshore Romania could hold more than 30 Bcm
MOSCOW -- Lukoil’s Lira-1X wildcat has discovered a gas field in the Lira offshore structure, which is located on the Trident Block (EX-30), in the deep waters offshore Romania.
The water depth within the block ranges from 300 m to 1,200 m. The block has an area of 1,006 km2. The Lira-1X well is about 170 km from the coast, where the depth of the sea is about 700 m. The well was drilled to a depth of 2,700 m from Transocean’s Development Driller II. The well was temporarily abandoned for further evaluation of the Lira gas discovery.
According to preliminary results of the analysis of drilling data and geophysical exploration, the Lira-1X delivered a productive interval with an effective gas-saturated thickness of 46 m.
According to seismic data, the area of the gas field could reach up to 39 km2 and reserves could exceed 30 Bcm, which is to be confirmed during evaluation drilling.
Work program
The success of the Lira-1X well will reduce the risk for further exploration on a series of prospective sites with significant potential reserves, located both close to the Lira structure and in other parts of the block.
The program of future works, planned for 2016, includes the drilling of an exploration well, and the reprocessing of seismic data to confirm the size of the discovery and a precise assessment of its potential hydrocarbon reserves.
Exploration of the EX-30 Block is conducted by Lukoil Overseas Atash BV, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lukoil, within the framework of the concession agreement with the government of Romania of 2011.
Currently, Lukoil's share in the project is 72%, while PanAtlantic Petroleum Ltd. owns 18% and Societatea Nationale de Gaze Naturale Romgaz SA owns 10%.
