Unocal to continue deep-sea drillings in 2002

Unocal Indonesia, a unit of US oil, gas firm Unocal Corp. will continue exploration drillings offshore Makassar Strait in 2002, according to a company?s executive.

?Unocal Indonesia will drill ten firm wells beginning January 2, 2002 all in the deepwater area of the Makassar Straits on the Rapak and Ganal blocks under production sharing contract (PSC) with Unocal as operator,? Unocal Indonesia president Brian Marcotte told Petromindo.com.

Marcotte said the company would utilize the Sedco 601 to drill in water depths from 4900 feet to 6300 feet.

He added that Unocal had seven wells that were contingent on the results of the first ten wells and several more that are still in the planning stage that could be carried out into the following year.

Unocal holds 80 percent working interest in Rapak and Ganal blocks while Italian oil, gas firm ENI hold the remaining 20 percent.

Unocal discovered Gula and Gada gas prospect in Ganal PSC in May 2000, while oil and gas was discovered in Early 2001 in Ranggas prospect at Rapak PSC. (alex)