Elko announced on May 4, 2011, that the Luna well will be drilled by the ‘Maersk Resolve’ jack up drilling unit. The rig had been secured by Noreco, the license operator, under a letter of intent. At that date the rig was expected to be available for Luna in mid August 2011 but this date could be a few weeks earlier or later.
Elko has been advised today by Noreco that the rig contract has now been signed for the Maersk Resolve and that the rig is now anticipated to arrive on the Luna location in the second half of September 2011.
The Maersk Resolve is currently drilling on contract to Maersk Oil and Gas in Denmark. As such the Maersk Resolve is coming to the 01/11 partnership drill ready, a short mobilization distance from the Luna prospect location and already fully accredited by the Danish authorities for drilling operations in Denmark. The Luna drilling program is expected to take about 1 month duration.
As previously announced the 01/11 partners intend the ‘Luna’ well to test the overall Rotliegendes play concept. The Luna prospect is located in a small half graben with the pinch out edge to the south east of the structure. The Rotliegendes reservoir is thought to have a high probability of being present at this location based on the seismic interpretation. Uncertainty still exists however on which seismic event represents the top reservoir and where the pinch out occurs.
In addition to the uncertainty on the pinch out position, there is a possibility that the Rotliegendes does not, in fact, pinch out but continues up dip into Lead A. It is therefore possible that Luna and Lead A are connected and represent one feature. The current well location which targets the Luna prospect was picked in order to maximize the information gathered by the well and is designed to address this uncertainty.
[mappress] Source:Xtract Energy , June 23, 2011