Equion to begin US$110mn offshore drilling campaign next year - ECOPETROL- TALISMAN-

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Fuente: BNAmericas

The Equion Energy JV formed between Colombia'sEcopetrol (NYSE: EC) and Talisman Energy (NYSE: TLM) plans to begin a US$110mn offshore drilling campaign in the Caribbean Sea next year, a spokesperson for the JV told BNamericas.

Wells Mapale-1 and -2 will be spud on the RC5 block off the coast of Cartagena, with at least one more possible in 2013.

"Based on seismic work we are interested in drilling at least two wells. We are planning to start around April 2012, and are currently involved in preparing for the work," said the spokesperson.

As operator of the block, Equion is involved in negotiations to secure a jack-up rig for the exploration, added the official. The JV holds a 40.5% share in the license, with Ecopetrol owning a separate 32% stake and Brazil's Petrobras (NYSE: PBR) the balance.

Colombia currently has offshore production only from the Chuchupa gas field operated by Chevron (NYSE: CVX), and the wells would be the first drilled off Colombia's coast since 2008.

Equion was created earlier this year to hold the Colombian assets of BP (NYSE: BP) which Ecopetrol and Talisman acquired in a deal worth US$1.89bn.

As well as the RC4 and 5 offshore licenses, the JV's holdings include four onshore blocks with 24,000b/d in net production and shares in the Ocensa, Oleoducto de Colombia and Oleoducto de Alto Magdalena pipelines.

Talisman corporate affairs VP Jim Fraser announced in recent days the company plans to drill up to 24 wells in Colombia by end-2012. Talisman owns interests in 20 licenses in the country including those held by Equion, and an additional seven in Peru.

Drilling on the Situche block in Peru could begin by year-end, Fraser said at the UBS Oil and Gas Conference.