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The Pontian dry gas system is These recent discoveries found in deltaic sands. Some of this have accelerated infrastructure biogenic gas is from Pontian shales, development in the eastern with some Oligocene thermogenic Mediterranean. US-based Radius gas also charging the sands. Oceanic Communications and Romania-based Midia Resources the Cyprus Telecommunications discovered gas in its Eugenia-1 Authority (Cyta) launched

Mediterranean well drilled to 2276m TD in the the Poseidon project, a high-

Pelican block (2312 sq km) off capacity undersea cable system

Romania. The well penetrated two intended to provide advanced gas reservoirs, totaling 22m net pay, telecommunications facilities to the in the EEZ. Through Cyta’s in Late Cretaceous sandstone from offshore oil & gas industry in the telecommunications hub, Radius 1938-2038m MD. Porosities ranged region. says it will be able to provide its 10-20% and gas saturations ranged The system will extend for 800km offshore customers with secure, 55-62%. An Eocene limestone from two shore landings in Cyprus, low-latency, broadband connections section had gas shows. creating a ring that borders the to key locations worldwide. Midia is a wholly-owned Cypriot Exclusive Economic Zone Cyprus’ second offshore licensing subsidiary of Sterling Resources (EEZ), enveloping the offshore oil round was completed in May 2012. (65% WI). It is the operator of and gas lease blocks established for Offcials announced winners the Midia and Pelican blocks development. Cyta provides landing starting in January. Eni and South with partners Hungary-based facilities and collocation services Korea-based Korea Gas Corp (Kogas)

Petro Ventures Europe (20%) at its cable stations in Pentaskhinos in consortium won blocks 2, 3, and and Netherlands-based Gas Plus and Yeroskipos. Through the 9 in the deepwater portion of the

International (15%). In addition, system, Radius will offer managed Levant Basin, which covers

Midia has gained Romanian broadband services on a subscriber 15,530 sq km. Eni will operate with government approval to buy 50% basis to offshore exploration, 80% interest.

interest in block 25 (Luceafarul), production and support facilities Total was awarded two which covers 1000 sq km. Petro

Ventures will retain 50% in the block. In an independent evaluation, RPS Energy estimated

Luceafarul’s potential reserves at 104bcf (2.9bcm).

Romania-based OMV Petrom (operator) and ExxonMobil (deepwater farm-in of 50%) are shooting a 6000 sq km, 3D program over the Neptun block in the

Romanian Black Sea. The 1600 sq km shallow-water survey is being shot by CGG Veritas with the Oceanic

Champion’s eight-streamer array.

Eastern Mediterranean

The Levant Basin, between

Republic of Cyprus and the

Mediterranean’s east coast, has produced multiple natural gas discoveries since 2009 including:

Tamar (10tcf), Dalit (0.5tcf),

Leviathan (16tcf), Cyprus (5tcf),

Tanin (1.2tcf), Dolphin (0.6tcf), and Shimshon (2.3tcf), for a total discovered reserve base of 35.6tcf.

Noble Energy continues a drilling program in the basin using the

ENSCO 5006 semisubmersible.

OE | March 2013 oedigital.com 66 oe_Mediterranean_rev3.indd 66 27/02/2013 12:09