Lukoil Overseas, PanAtlantic and Romgaz have found on the continental shelf of Romania an important gas deposit, reserves to be confirmed by the evaluation drilling may exceed 30 billion cubic meters of natural gas, digi24.ro reports.
This is a preliminary figure, as the prospecting works in the 30 Trident block, located in the 2011 concession to Lukoil Overseas, have just been completed.
“The water depth in the EX-30 Trident perimeter fluctuates between 300 to 1,200 meters. The block’s area is of 1,006 sq km is The LIRA – 1X well is located about 170 km (90 maritime miles) from the shore, water depth is approx. 700 m. The well was drilled to a depth of 2,700 m (8,858 feet) using the semisubmersible offshore drilling platform ‘Development Driller II’ belonging to Transocean Ltd. On completion of the drilling, the well was placed under conservation in view of carrying out further evaluation works of the LIRA deposit. According to preliminary results of the analysis of data obtained during the drilling and of the geophysical investigations, LIRA – 1X found a gas reservoir 46 meters thick. According to seismic data, the reservoir area can reach 39 sq km and the reserves, to be confirmed by the evaluation drilling, may exceed 30 billion cubic meters of natural gas. The success registered by LIRA – 1X well led to a reduction in risks with regard to the future geological investigations works for several prospection with significant potential in terms of resources, located both near LIRA and in other areas within the perimeter. The programme of future works planned for 2016 includes the reprocessing of seismic data and the drilling of wells in LIRA 2 deposit for exploration and evaluation, in view of confirming the discovery in terms of volume and the hydrocarbons potential,” reads a Romgaz release.
Currently, Romgaz share in the project is 10%, Lukoil owns 72% and PanAtlantic Petroleum Ltd. 18%.
The initial volume of the gas deposit of 30 billion cubic meters would mean that it would ensure Romania’s domestic consumption at full capacity for three years, at a consumption level of 12 billion cubic meters per year, including an export of 3 million cubic meters to Republic of Moldova.
The perimeter is located in a piece of continental shelf that Romania won it in 2009 in the law suit against Ukraine in The Hague.
Experts contacted by Digi24 said that, as this platform evolves to the east, the chances of discovering oil and gas increase significantly.