Kazakhstan, Astana, July 31 / Trend D. Mukhtarov /
Rompetrol's 'Upstream' division (exploration and production) begins drilling the first exploration well on Focsani block in Romania, the Kazakh national oil company KMG said on Tuesday.
'The company has had the rights to explore the block since 2005', KMG said. 'The KAZ 1 exploration well is located in the north-west of the block near the Fitioneshti settlement with a planned depth of 4200 metres. However, the company plans to implement a 2D-seismic survey (not less than 200 km) in the south-west section (Prunen structure) to further explore the potential of the block'.
According to the report, this action will open a new chapter in the history of the Kazakh oil and gas industry and that of the National Company KazMunayGas and Rompetrol Group.
'This will be the first well in the history of Kazakhstan and KMG outside the country', the statement said.'So far, all the operations were carried out exclusively on the fields located in the territory of Kazakhstan. The exploration and production programme in the European territory is being implemented within the KMG development strategy. The main task is the company's joining the top 30 largest and successful oil companies in the world'.
Rompetrol's experience in oil exploration and production projects is over more than 30 years, including the execution of work in 24 countries on four continents.
Currently, the group has the rights for exploration and production of five exploration blocks in Romania - Satu Mare, Zeguzhan, Greshu, Nerezhu and Focsani.
'Earlier this year the company completed drilling two exploration wells in Block Satu Mare (Mederash and Moftinu settlements)', the statement said. 'Hydrocarbon reserves were revealed at one of the wells. Rompetrol, together with the operator of the project Canadian company Uinstar Resorsez, are preparing a trial mining programme to assess the potential hydrocarbon reserves'.
The Rompetrol Group is Kazakh KazMunaiGas, a wholly-owned subsidiary.