Noble Energy Ups Leviathan Gas Estimate

Noble Energy has announced results from its second Leviathan appraisal well located in the Rachel license offshore Israel. 

The Leviathan #4 appraisal well was drilled to a total depth of 16,992 feet and encountered 454 net feet of natural gas pay in multiple intervals, the thickest net pay of any well drilled to date at Leviathan. 

These results point to an increase in the estimated recoverable gross mean resources of the field to 18 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) with a range of 15 to 21 Tcf. 

Following operations at Leviathan #4 and pending partner approval, the Ensco 5006 rig will be relocated to the Karish prospect in the Alon C license offshore Israel, Noble Energy said in a statement. 

The Karish prospect has a pre-drill gross mean resource estimate of 3.0 Tcf with a range of 2.3 to 3.6 Tcf and is expected to reach total depth in the second quarter.

Noble also said that the negotiations between the partners in Leviathan and Woodside Petroleum are ongoing.  “The parties remain committed to the execution of the farmout agreement supporting the development of the Leviathan resources,” it said.

Noble Energy operates Leviathan with a 39.66 percent working interest.  Other interest owners in the well are Delek Drilling and Avner Oil Exploration with 22.67 percent each and Ratio Oil Exploration with the remaining 15 percent.

Noble Energy operates Karish with a 47.06 percent working interest.  Other interest owners in the well are Delek Drilling and Avner Oil Exploration with 26.47 percent each.