Repsol Exploration Guyana has sealed a deal with Rowan Companies to secure the EXL II high-specification Super 116E Jack-up for work in its Kanuku Block.
Rowan noted that the contract which will last for approximately 45 days and covers one well starting in the third quarter of this year. It explained that its EXL II, which can operate in up to 350 feet (107 meters) of water and boasts a maximum drilling depth of 35,000 feet (10,668 meters), is currently deployed in Trinidad for British Petroleum.
Repsol operates the Kanuku block approximately 93 miles (150 kilometers) offshore Guyana. It reports that it is targeting an oil prospect in approximately 230 to 328 feet (70 to 100 meters) of water and plans to spud its first exploration well in the block this year.
According to the company’s Country Manager, Ryan Ramjit, Repsol has been present in Guyana since 1997. Ramjit noted that when the company had signed a contract for the Georgetown block through Maxxus Energy, one of its legacy companies, it acquired 2D and 3D seismic data in the Georgetown block and proceeded to plan the first exploration well.
He said, “We drilled our first Guyana exploration well in 2012 in the Georgetown block. After fulfilment of the Georgetown contract, we negotiated and received a new Petroleum Prospecting License in 2013 for the Kanuku block to continue with exploration activities in the country. We plan to drill the first well to determine if hydrocarbons are present.”
In fact, the company has completed a geo-technical survey to inform its exploration programme. The company, which is headquartered in Spain, contracted the MV Regulus to carry out the operation which is some 66 nautical miles from shore.
