Gulfsands to drill on Block 26 in Syria

By OGJ editors

HOUSTON, June 9 -- Gulfsands Petroleum PLC plans to conduct an extensive 2D seismic program and drill the first well on 11,000 sq km Block 26 in Syria this year.

The production-sharing contract, shared 50-50 with Devon Energy Corp., Oklahoma City, requires four wells to be drilled during a 4-year term ending in 2007 (OGJ Online, June 2, 2003). Gulfsands, Houston, is operator.

The block is near fields producing more than 100,000 b/d of oil. Gulfsands said it has identified 27 prospects and leads.