Cooper Energy delays S. Madura exploration drilling

Australian oil firm Cooper Energy said Monday the commencement drilling for the Kurnia-1 well in South Madura block was delayed to late June/July from original schedule of early this year due to rig unavailability.

Cooper said the rig to be used for the Kurnia-1 well is currently undertaking fishing operations on its current well and is then expected to drill a sidetrack. These operations are expected to take 2 weeks to complete. The rig will then now be moved to an additional well on the field, which is expected to take 45 days.

?We expect that the rig will be mobilized in late May/June and drilling will commence late June/July,? the company said.

According to Cooper, pre-AFE (Approval for Expenditure) approval has been secured for the Kurnia-1 well from upstream authority BP MIGAS with additional approvals expected to be progressed in the next few weeks.

Cooper has 45 percent interest in South Madura PSC through operator South Madura Exploration Company Pte Ltd that holds 90 percent interest in the block. (Robert)