Turkish Petroleum AO (TPAO) is preparing to spud a long-planned well off Turkey’s southern coast, according to press reports.
The Daily Sabah newspaper of Turkey said the Fatih drillship will drill the Alanya-1 well in deep water offshore the city of Antalya.
Last month, Schlumberger said TPAO had awarded it a $15 million integrated services management contract for the well.
TPAO acquired the drillship, formerly known as the Deep Sea Metro II, in a 2016 liquidation auction (OGJ Online, May 23, 2018). It has been conducting surveys with two seismic vessels.
The Turkish government disputes territorial claims by the Greek government of Cyprus and has resisted offshore licensing and drilling there.
It’s unclear whether the Alanya-1 well will be in water claimed by Cyprus. Cypriot licensing and drilling so far have been south of the island nation. The Alanya-1 will be to the north.
In September, Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Fatih Donmez said the government was negotiating for the purchase of a second drillship for use in the Black Sea.
