Lundin Petroleum to delay Caspian drilling

Oct. 18, 2006
Lundin Petroleum AB delayed drilling the Morskoye prospect on the Lagansky block off Russia in the Caspian Sea until next year.

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Oct. 18 -- Lundin Petroleum AB delayed drilling the Morskoye prospect on the Lagansky block off Russia in the Caspian Sea until next year.

A two-well drilling program is scheduled to start during second quarter 2007, targeting three main Cretaceous and Jurassic reservoirs at 800-1,600 m.

Earlier this year, Lundin of Stockholm bought Valkyries Petroleum Corp., a company with exploration and producing interests in Russia and a 70% stake in Lagansky block.

Valkyries planned to spud the Morskoye well in the third quarter, but drilling was delayed pending conversion of shallow draft barges to drill in 2 m of water.

That conversion is done, but the impending onset of winter prompted the drilling delay until next year.