Turkey’s TPAO awards Schlumberger contract worth $15 mln for drilling in Mediterranean

ISTANBUL

Turkey has hired one of the world’s largest oilfield services company, Schlumberger, to help it with offshore drilling in the Mediterranean Sea, Greek daily Kathimerini reported on Oct. 24.

The Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) has awarded Schlumberger an integrated services management contract to drill the deep-water well Alanya-1 in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, according to the $15 million worth deal declared in the company’s quarterly report.

“Integrated service management will coordinate multiple product lines as well as provide project management services on Turkish Petroleum’s ultradeepwater drillship, Fatih,” the report, released on Oct. 19, said.

Fatih drillship, previously known as Deepsea Metro II, was acquired by Turkish Petroleum last year. According to Marine Traffic website, the vessel is currently anchored at Turkey’s Antalya Port in the Mediterranean Sea.

Schlumberger said its seismic processing subsidiary WesternGeco has also secured a deal with TPAO.

“TPAO awarded WesternGeco a multiyear contract to provide software and depth imaging consultancy services using the Omega geophysical data processing platform, along with infield geophysics services onboard its seismic vessel operating in the Black, Marmara, and Mediterranean seas. This key development provides synergy between the field and processing center for Turkish Petroleum’s seismic operations,” it said.

Turkey is set to begin drilling in the Mediterranean Sea this year, according to Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Fatih Dönmez.

“We will drill our first well in the Mediterranean this year with the country’s first drilling vessel, Fatih,” he said on July 26.

Turkey has accelerated seismic research and drilling activities in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean since April 2017, he added, noting that it was achieved with the help of Turkey’s first seismic vessel Barbaros Hayreddin Paşa.

Turkish state-run Anadolu Agency reported Oct. 18 that Barbaros Hayreddin Paşa was harassed by a Greek frigate during its ongoing probe off Cyprus’ coast.

An undisclosed number of warships of Turkey’s Naval Forces interdicted the Greek warship, the report added.

Turkey has sent a second vessel, the MTA Oruç Reis, for the exploration of hydrocarbon reserves.