(Melbana Energy Limited, 2.Jul.2018) – Australia’s Melbana Energy Limited announced preparatory work is continuing in Cuba in readiness for the planned drilling program in Block 9.
From a permitting perspective, intermediate approvals are continuing to be obtained for both the Alameda and Zapato exploration wells as progress is made towards submissions for the final Approval to Drill permits.
Civil works contract scope definition has progressed and the civil works tender evaluation for the Alameda-1 drilling pad was completed and the preferred contractor identified.
Melbana’s Cuba based team has undertaken a number of site visits and community liaison sessions to support potential civil works. Preferred contractor has been identified and discussions are continuing with the preferred drilling rig provider, which is an established local entity, with a drilling rig being identified and a drilling window nominated as notionally commencing in December 2018. The proposed rig is currently planned to be refurbished and upgraded for maintenance and operational purposes in late 3Q 2018. The final decision on drilling contractor, drilling target and timing will be influenced by a number of factors, including any incoming party into Block 9 and their plans, their preferred drilling targets and confirmation of drilling rig availability.
Farm out
Block 9 farmout activities are continuing, with multiple interested multinational parties engaged in assessing the prospectivity of the Block.
Santa Cruz
Work is continuing on the evaluation of the Santa Cruz Incremental Oil Recovery (IOR) opportunity.
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