Noble Energy Begins Drilling Leviathan 3

Noble Energy has begun drilling the Leviathan 3 well offshore Israel after receiving approval from that country's Ministry of National Infrastructures.

Approval to begin drilling at Leviathan 3 was given after review of the testing reports about the problems at the Leviathan 2 drilling was completed.  Noble was instructed to seal the Leviathan 2 well. Drilling was halted in May following reports of a cementing issue that identified water flowing to the sea floor from the wellbore.

The Ministry stated that the plan for drilling Leviathan 3 included various steps taken by the company to prevent the recurrence of similar problems.

Leviathan 3 is located 4.4 kms from Leviathan 2 and is due to be drilled to a depth of 5,300 meters. Drilling will last 3 months and cost $70 million.

Noble Energy holds the Leviathan license together with Delek Group and Ratio Oil Exploration.