Noble Energy starts A-2 appraisal drilling in Cyprus block 12

“It is estimated that drilling the well will take approximately three months to reach a total depth of about 5,600 meters below sea level”, a Noble press release, issued here, on Friday, says, adding that water depth at the well is about 1,700 meters.

The press release also notes that “the drilling results from the A-2 well will help Noble Energy confirm the estimated resource size and provide information required to initiate planning of subsequent stages of development”.

Based on results of the A-1 well drilled in 2011, the estimated resource size for the natural gas discovery in Block 12 is 5 tcf to 8 tcf, with a mean of 7 tcf, it says.

Following completion of drilling, assessment of the data is expected to take 60 to 90 days.

The company is currently conducting a seismic survey in Block 12.

Noble Energy operates Block 12 with a 70 percent working interest. Delek Drilling Limited Partnership and Avner Oil Exploration Limited Partnership each own 15 percent.

In 2008, Cyprus signed its first hydrocarbon exploration contract with US Noble Energy for offshore block 12.