Scandinavian Oil-Gas Magazine

During May 2010, Orca Exploration Group Inc signed an agreement with Petroceltic International plc (Petroceltic) to farm in for 15% of Petroceltic's Central Adriatic B.R268.RG Permit offshore Italy.

On June 30, 2010, the Italian Minister of Environment, Stafania Prestigiacomo, announced at a conference in Rome that an outline proposed decree to amend the Italian Environmental Code had been adopted by the Council of Ministers that will inter alia prohibit drilling in the Italian seas within 5 miles of the coastline and within 12 miles around the perimeter of protected Marine Parks.

Orca understands that should this restriction be passed into law it will apply to applications for permits currently pending and is likely to include the current location for Elsa 2.

The Elsa structure straddles the proposed 5 mile restriction and therefore the operator is considering alternative well locations on the structure outside of the proposed 5 mile boundary that will enable it to access the same or similar downhole locations. The well was due to be drilled in Q4 2010, but drilling will now be delayed while the technical and legislative issues are resolved. Orca is not liable for any costs associated with the drilling of Elsa 2 until a rig contract is signed.

The Elsa field was discovered in 1992 by AGIP with the drilling of the Elsa 1 well which encountered an oil column of 65 meters in the Lower Cretaceous Maiolica Formation at a depth of approximately 4,500 meters.

The low risk Elsa 2 appraisal well has the primary objective of confirming the commercial production potential of the reservoir when flow tested.

Positive results from Elsa 2 will be followed by a 3D seismic survey over the field.

Tags: Orca Exploration Group Inc