Exploration & Development

Eni to explore deepwater South China Sea block

April 11, 2012

Eni SPA’s Eni China BV unit will explore deepwater Block 30/27 in the South China Sea under an agreement with China National Offshore Oil Corp.

Alan Petzet

Eni SPA’s Eni China BV unit will explore deepwater Block 30/27 in the South China Sea under an agreement with China National Offshore Oil Corp.

The block covers 5,130 sq km about 400 km off Hong Kong, CNOOC said. It did not give the water depth range on the block.

Eni will fully fund a 3D seismic survey and the drilling of one exploratory well. CNOOC Ltd. has the right to participate in up to 51% working interest in any commercial discovery.

Elsewhere in the South China Sea, Eni operates Block 28/20 and has equity interests in blocks 16/08 and 16/19.

About the Author

Alan Petzet | Chief Editor Exploration

Alan Petzet is Chief Editor-Exploration of Oil & Gas Journal in Houston. He is editor of the Weekly E&D Newsletter, emailed to OGJ subscribers, and a regular contributor to the OGJ Online subscriber website.

Petzet joined OGJ in 1981 after 13 years in the Tulsa World business-oil department. He was named OGJ Exploration Editor in 1990. A native of Tulsa, he has a BA in journalism from the University of Tulsa.