The Offshore Kazakhstan International Operating Co. (OKIOC) partners have spud the second exploratory well in the Kashagan structure in the Caspian Sea. The well is expected to be completed in the spring of 2001.
The Sunkar rig, owned by Parker Drilling, is drilling the Kashagan W-1 well in the western part of the structure, roughly 31 miles west of the first exploration well.
Licensees in the OKIOC group have applied for permission to implement a two-year program to drill appraisal wells, perform necessary studies and gather certain 3-D seismic data from the Kashagan structure.
Approval from the Kazakhstan authorities is anticipated within a month. Licensees also are in discussions with authorities on certain interpretations of the concession's production-sharing agreement.
Until now, the OKIOC partners have shared the operatorship. Now the partners want one of the licensees to take over as operator.
Deadline for applications is Nov. 15. Exxon Mobil, TotalFina Elf, Agip, Shell and BP Amoco have expressed interest in becoming operator of the Kashagan field project.
Source:OilOnline.
© 2000 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
