OJSC Rosneft said it started drilling an exploratory well offshore Vietnam in the Nam Con Son basin. It’s the first time Rosneft has been drilling operator in international waters.
The PLDD-1X well was drilled in 162 m of water on Block 6.1 and has a design depth of 1,380 m. Japan Drilling Co. Ltd. is using the HAKURYU-5 drilling rig.
Rosneft Vietnam BV owns 35% of a production-sharing contract in Block 6.1 with two gas-condensate fields--Lan Tay and Lan Do--about 370 km offshore (OGJ Online, Jan. 20, 2003).
Block 6.1 produced its 300 millionth barrel of oil equivalent last year, and provides about 12% of energy needs in Vietnam, Rosneft said (OGJ Online, Feb. 25, 2010).
The company plans to shoot broadband 3D seismic on Block 6.1 later this year “to enhance ongoing production recovery and explore potential in deeper prospects.”
Rosneft also plans to drill another exploratory well in the Nam Con Son basin in nearby Block 5.3/11. Rosneft has 100%.
