ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Cyprus (Offshore) Ltd. drilled a non-commercial well in Block 5 of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) offshore the Republic of Cyprus.
The Elektra-1 well data and preliminary evaluation work indicate the presence of natural gas, but in non-commercial quantities, the country's Ministry of Energy, Commerce, and Industry said in a release Apr. 14. ExxonMobil's early assessments indicated that that the well had a hydrocarbon system and good quality reservoirs, the government agency said. The data collected during the drilling operations are being evaluated to determine future plans in Block 5.
The Valaris DS-9 drillship, which carried out the drilling operations, will now move to Block 10 of the EEZ of Cyprus to conduct exploration drilling at the Pegasus-1 well site (OGJ Online, Feb. 18, 2019).
ExxonMobil is operator at Block 5, which covers an area of 4,500 sq km with water depths of up to 2,500 m, with partner QatarEnergy International E&P LLC (OGJ Online, Dec. 10, 2021).