Total E&P Bulgaria Starts Drilling of Third Exploration Well in Black Sea Block 1-21

Total E&P Bulgaria said on Wednesday that it has started the third deepwater exploration drilling in Bulgarian offshore block 1-21 Han Asparuh in the Black Sea. The drilling of the third deepwater exploration well, Melnik-1, shows the company's commitment to exploring the full hydrocarbon potential of the block, Kevin Hannaford, general manager of Total E&P Bulgaria, said in a statement.

Works will be carried out by Noble Corporation's Noble Globetrotter II ship, which was also used for the first two exploration wells, Polshkov-1 and Rubin-1.Total has a 40% interest in the project, while its partners OMV and Repsol own stakes of 30% each. In March, Bulgaria's government extended by two years the permit held by Total, OMV and Repsol for exploring for oil and gas in the 1-21 Han Asparuh block.