RIL, Hardy spud new exploration well in KG-D3
To drill three more wells in the block by end 2010

In search of a D6
D3 block covers around 3,288 sq km and provides for drilling of a minimum of six exploration wells in the first phase
A technical evaluation, carried out by Gaffney, Cline & Associates Ltd, had pegged potential gas reserves in D3 Block at 9.5 trillion cubic feet
D3 is adjacent to Reliance Industries' prolific D6 block, which is estimated to hold gas reserves of around 14 trillion cubic feet


Debjit Chakraborty
New Delhi
Hardy Oil and Gas Plc, junior partner of Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) in the Krishna-Godavari-D3 block, on Tuesday said the consortium has started drilling a new offshore exploration well in the area to explore hydrocarbon potential.
"The exploratory well--KGV-D3-R1--commenced drilling on November 2, with the Transocean rig, Deepwater Expedition, in water depth of approximately 1,964 metres," the UK-based exploration company told the London Stock Exchange.
The consortium had previously made two gas discoveries in the block.
"The first two exploratory wells (KGV-D3-A1 and KGV-D3-B1) resulted in gas discoveries (Dhirubhai 39 and Dhirubhai 41), and are presently under appraisal," Hardy Oil said.
The commencement of drilling in D3 block comes close on the heels of a failed attempt in the neighbouring D9 Block last month.
Hardy, which also partners Reliance Industries in D9, had last month said an exploration well in the D9 block had encountered "poor reservoir sands" and the consortium had decided to abandon and plug the well.
The D9 well had also been drilled using the Deepwater Expedition rig. Reliance Industries is the operator of D3 block and holds 90% stake, while Hardy owns the rest.
Hardy Oil said the KGV-D3-R1 well will be drilled to a target depth of 4,710 metres to "explore the hydrocarbon potential of various Miocene age sands".
Hardy Oil said the consortium plans to drill three additional exploration wells in the block before the end of 2010.
D3 block covers around 3,288 sq km and provides for drilling of a minimum of six exploration wells within the first exploration phase.
In May, Hardy Oil had said that a technical evaluation, carried out by Gaffney, Cline & Associates Ltd, had pegged potential gas reserves in D3 block at 9.5 trillion cubic feet.
D3 is adjacent to Reliance Industries' prolific D6 block, which is estimated to hold gas reserves of around 14 trillion cubic feet. D6 gas output, currently around 40 million metric standard cubic metres per day (mmscmd), is likely to touch 60 mmscmd by year end. NW18



Tag: ,