Shell was awarded the exploration licence to an area of the Bulgarian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Black Sea called the Khan Kubrat block in February 2016.

Shell will drill a single exploration well in the Khan Kubrat block, more than 80 km offshore and 115 km south east from Burgas.

This is the first exploration well Shell will drill in Bulgaria. Shell is one of the leading energy companies in the world with more than a hundred years’ of experience in the exploration, development, production, refining and marketing of oil and natural gas.

Shell brings together a wide range of expertise from all around the world where the company has been operating in deep-water for more than 3 decades. At the moment Shell has more than 20 major deep-water projects that are active.

Drilling will be conducted by a single drill ship in water depths of 1,500 m and extend approximately 2,500 m below the sea bed.

The drill ship will be supported by two supply vessels and an on-shore base in Varna.

The drilling programme is expected to start in April 2019 and take around 3-4 months to complete. Following completion, the well will be sealed and the drillship will leave.

Shell has assessed the potential impacts of its operations in order to mitigate the effect on the environment and the local communities. The assessment process follows the Bulgarian Environment Protection Act and all other obligations, including making the study available for public review and comment.

Shell will use fast crew marine transfers instead of helicopters to transport staff.

Shell aims to be a good neighbour. The company works hard to manage the social impacts of its business activities, address any concerns about its operations, and enhance the benefits that the organisation is able to bring.

The analysis of the well results will take several months to complete. Shell will then enter a period of updating its geological models accordingly. The company is working closely with the appropriate authorities to ensure it is complaint with its obligations, including making the study available for public review and comment.

Shell plans to organise a similar to today’s media event once the results from the exploration well are available.

It may take several years of research and further drilling before Shell fully understands the potential in this part of the Black Sea and is able to make decisions about whether oil and gas can be produced.

Useful additional information – here.

For more information and interview requests, please contacts M3 Communications Group, Inc. on press@m3bg.com or +359/2 818 70 10.