Karoon picks drilling rig for Brazilian operations

Karoon Gas Australia, an independent oil company, has hired the Olinda Star semi‐submersible drilling rig, for operations in Brazil.

The Olinda Star has been contracted to drill two firm wells and two optional wells in Karoon’s 65% owned and operated Santos Basin blocks S‐M‐1037, 1101, 1102, 1165 and 1166 (the ‘Blocks’), with drilling scheduled to start during the 3rd quarter calendar year 2016.

The firm wells are planned for the appraisal drilling of the Echidna light oil discovery and will satisfy Karoon’s Santos Basin drilling commitments required under the revised Discovery Appraisal Plan, approved by the Agência Nacional do Petróleo, Gás Natural e Biocombustíveis (‘ANP’).

Managing Director, Robert Hosking said: “The contracting of the drilling rig for the appraisal of the Echidna light oil discovery is an exciting next step for Karoon. It is a critical milestone for assessing the commerciality of the Echidna field, and on success, will provide important information for moving forward with an early production system, which could bring first oil in the first half of calendar year 2019.

“Karoon’s team of specialist drilling engineers used the Olinda Star to complete the 2015 drilling campaign and the rig has subsequently undergone modifications at Karoon’s request, which are expected to further enhance the drilling performance. To date this team has successfully completed 6 vertical wells and 2 side‐tracks in the Blocks.”