OMV Petrom Begins Offshore Exploration in Bulgaria's Han Asparuh Block
- The exploration campaign in Han Asparuh block includes two wells with a budget of €170 million.
- Drilling is set to begin by the end of the year and will take approximately five months.
- Halliburton and SLB are providing drilling and well testing services, respectively.
Exploration Campaign Overview
OMV Petrom, in partnership with NewMed Energy, is advancing its exploration activities in Bulgaria's Han Asparuh offshore block. The campaign involves drilling two wells with a total budget of approximately €170 million. The drillship Globetrotter I has arrived in Bulgaria, and drilling is expected to commence by the end of the year.
Drilling Details
The first well, Vinekh-1, is located about 200 km east of Varna in water depths of around 2,000 meters. The drilling campaign is projected to last about five months, utilizing advanced technology and adhering to high safety standards. Halliburton will provide integrated drilling services, while SLB will handle well testing.
Regional Impact
The Han Asparuh block, situated in the Western Black Sea, covers an area of 13,712 km². Exploration activities began in 2012, including geological and geophysical surveys and the drilling of three exploration wells. A 3D seismic campaign completed in May 2020 helped identify potential drilling targets. This project aims to enhance regional energy security and expand operations in Southeast Europe.
OMV Petrom's Black Sea Operations
OMV Petrom has over 40 years of experience in oil and gas production in the Black Sea. In Romania, it operates several blocks in shallow waters and is developing the Neptun Deep project in partnership with ROMGAZ. The Neptun Deep project is expected to produce its first gas in 2027, with estimated volumes of 100 billion cubic meters of gas.
Source: OMV Petrom