Total Waiting for Zagreb-1 Rig to Begin Drilling Off Libya

French oil major Total is returning to exploratory drilling offshore Libya. As reported by Reuters, Bernard Avignon, managing director of Total Exploration and Production in Libya said at an industry event in Tripoli that the company hoped to spud the first well in May.

The rig, which will be used for the operation is currently located in in Croatia, undergoing tests. Total hired the semi-submersible rig, Zagreb-1, in December, 2012, from Croatia’s drilling contractor Crosco, a member of the International Association of Drilling Contractors.

The rig is expected to begin its journey towards Libyan waters next week, with drilling scheduled to kick off in mid-May. Under the drilling contract, Total will drill at least two wells using the rig, and it also has two one-well options.

Avignon added: “We hope to discover more gas, we have already discovered gas in that area.”

Total owns interest in zones 15, 16 and 32 offshore Libya. The company’s production in Libya was 62 kb/d in 2012, compared to 20 kb/d in 2011.