Melrose Resources has struck a reservoir in Bulgaria good enough not to have to flow test, and the well that found it will be plugged ahead of its future production.

The the Galata E3 Kaliakra exploration well was understood to have struck through 14 metres of hydrocarbons and to have flowed from a depth of some 700 metres after drilling with an Atwood Cross drilling rig.

First oil at the Galata license is expected in mid-2009, but plans are afoot for a sub-sea completion and tieback to the Galata platform production facilities.

Reserves in the vicinity of the well are estimated at 7 billion cubic feet, with over 40 Bcf in “a shale-filled channe”l east of the structure.

Tags: Melrose Resources plc