Leviathan-2 Disappoints

Noble Energy has ceased drilling of its Leviathan-2 appraisal well located offshore Israel.

The well was found unsuitable for continued drilling as it discovered water escaping to the sea floor from the wellbore. The well was monitored closely, and no hydrocarbons were found in the produced water.  Drilling stopped before it reached target depth.

Noble Energy now plans to relocate the drilling rig to a nearby location where it will resume its Leviathan natural gas appraisal drilling program.

Leviathan-2 was being drilled to evaluate the massive natural gas reservoir discovered by the Leviathan-1 well, which currently boasts estimated gross mean resources of 16 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.

Development objectives for the Leviathan natural gas field include multiple export opportunities such as LNG via pipeline.

Noble Energy operates the Leviathan the Rachel and Amit licenses, with a 39.66 percent working interest.

Delek Drilling and Avner Oil Exploration have a 22.67 percent interest and Ratio Oil Exploration holds the remaining 15 percent.

Source: Noble Energy Inc.