Melbana Energy provides update on Cuba drilling campaign and farm-out

Melbana Energy has completed a tender for the supply of a drilling rig for Block 9 onshore Cuba in late 2018.

Bids are currently being evaluated, including options that provide for a ‘turn key’ type arrangement submitted by an established operating entity in Cuba.

This option is potentially attractive for this initial drilling programme as it uses established local logistics, materials and service providers.

The procurement process for major service contractors and long lead items has also commenced. Melbana’s Cuba based team have undertaken a number of site visits for potential civil works and supporting contractors.

Melbana’s Cuba in-country team has been actively progressing permitting activities for the planned two well programme in Block 9. Stakeholder engagement is continuing, with town hall type meetings being held with local residents, regional councils and other interested parties for each wellsite.

The meetings are an opportunity for local stakeholders to hear directly of Melbana’s plans and address any concerns they may have. The programme has been well received, with strong support offered by local authorities.

Block 9 farm-out activities are continuing, with multiple interested parties engaged in assessing the prospectivity of the Block.

In late February, Melbana highlighted Cuba as an investment destination by presenting a technical overview of Block 9 during the international APPEX conference in London. There was solid industry engagement with a number of international industry participants at Melbana’s exhibit.

Work on the Santa Cruz incremental oil opportunity has commenced, with the technical team developing an initial work plan and commencing activities to identify opportunities for optimising oil production with a view to developing a proposed work programme as a basis for a commercial negotiation to secure a long term incremental oil recovery contract.

Source: Energy-pedia