Noble Energy Mediterranean, Delek Group gas partnerships announced that the Ensco 5006 rig has completed the planned work for sealing the Leviathan 2 evaluation drill which has resulted in halting the water flowing from it.
In the coming year, in coordination with the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources, the operator is planning to carry out monitoring activities in order to evaluate the sealing efficiency and the need to perform additional actions, thus enabling final abandonment of the Leviathan 2 drilling.
The operator estimates a total cost of the undertaken works (including standby expenses of the rig and monitoring activities) at approximately $85 million.
It should be noted that the partnerships are covered with insurance which includes the sealing work with a limited liability of up to $200 million per case.
Leviathan partners have received a refund from the insurance companies for the work implemented so far which was claimed for from the insurance companies.
In addition, the partners in Leviathan announced that Leviathan #4 appraisal well is due to start in the coming days and is expected to last for approximately 4 months at an estimated budget of $110 million.
The Leviathan natural gas field is spread over a wide area and therefore it requires a number of appraisal wells. Leviathan 4 is expected to be used in future for production drilling, as part of the future development plan of Leviathan. The expected depth of the well is approximately 1,600 meters, and the planned final drilling depth is approximately 5,300 meters beneath sea level.
[mappress] LNG World News Staff, November 12, 2012