Eni kicks off drilling operations on Oman’s first deepwater offshore well

Italian oil and gas major Eni has started drilling what is reportedly the first-ever deepwater offshore exploration well in Oman’s waters. 

According to media reports earlier this week, Eni has started drilling Oman’s first deepwater offshore well.

Sources have confirmed to Offshore Energy Today that the Italian company had indeed started its drilling operations in Oman. However, no further details have been provided.

What we do know is that Eni late last year hired the Pacific Drilling-owned drillship, Pacific Bora, for one firm well in Oman. The duration of the well was estimated at 30 days. The contract included a $5 million mobilization fee and a $5 million demobilization fee and it provided for one option well.

Further, the contract was scheduled to start in February and end in March 2020 with a dayrate of $190,000. The 2010-built drillship also previously worked for Eni offshore Nigeria under the dayrate of $150,000.

When it comes to Eni’s offshore presence in Oman, the company is the operator of Block 52, which is an underexplored area with hydrocarbons potential located offshore in the southern region of Oman. Block 52 has an area of approximately 90,000 km2, with water depths ranging from 10 to over 3,000 meters.

The Government of the Sultanate of Oman, Oman Oil Company Exploration and Production (OOCEP), a subsidiary of state company Oman Oil Company SAOC (OOC), and Eni entered into an exploration and production sharing agreement for Block 52 back in November 2017.  Eni holds a 55% stake in the block while its partners Qatar Petroleum and OOCEP hold a 30% and 15% stake, respectively.