Month: February 2010

Such as radiography, non-destructive testing (NDT) or automated ultrasonic testing (AUT)

The ACC group of Haim Leibowitch was awarded in Februry 2010 the Med Ashdod license. The Med Ashdod license was held previously by Isramco, Hanal, Granit-Sonol, Delek Drilling and Petrochemicals. Between 2000-2003, the partners undertook two drillings in the license area (Nir-1 and Nir-2) which ended up in failure. The partners prepared themselves to carry out a third drilling north of these first two sites, namely Nir-3 offshore Palmahim in deeper waters. This was due to take place in 2004-2005 at an estimated cost of $40 million, but hurdles presented by the Ministry of Defense and difficulties in obtaining a drilling rig at the time and higher estimated costs led to 3 years of delays until the MNI informed the partners on 25th October 2007 that the license had been annulled. All data gathered by the partners was thus placed in the public domain

Jan 2011 – The field is to be drilled with a jackup rig that is suitable for such shallow waters. Cost of drilling is expected to be between $60-70 million although the cost could change once the results of the 3D become known in accordance with the number of leads that the partners may want to drill. Drilling is expected at the beginning of 2012. In Jan 2011, 50% of the rights held by Ben Zaken and Nanikswhili were transferred to Menofim, so that the license is currently held 50% by the ACC group, Menofim (21.25%), Ben Zaken and Nanikshwili (10.625% each) and 7.5% of the rights are held by a trustee and will be give out in the future.