Woodside Mauritania Pty. Ltd., as operator of a joint venture on Blocks 2-6 offshore Mauritania, signed a contract to use Saipem's deepwater semisubmersible Scarabeo 7 to conduct a drilling program offshore Mauritania beginning in the second quarter of 2001.
The dynamically-positioned semi is capable of operating in water depths up to 4,921 feet and will be suited to drill any prospects identified by the Woodside joint venture as candidates for this initial program off Mauritania.
This 2001 work program and budget were presented to the Mauritanian government in early December, which approved the venture to drill two firm wells with one contingent well in the work program. The first well is expected to be spud in April 2001.
The two firm wells will satisfy contractual and farm-in obligations for Area A (Block 3 and shallow water Blocks 4 and 5) and Area B (deepwater Blocks 4 and 5.) The third contingent well will be drilled in Area C (Blocks 2 and 6) if technically and financially justified.
Woodside and Agip will divide drilling costs under farm-in agreements entered into in August 1998. Partners in Areas A, B and C include Hardman Resources NL, Planet Oil International plc, Fusion Oil and Gas NL, Elixir Corporation Pty. Ltd. and British Borneo (Agip.)
© 2001 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
