In early March 2020, industry sources informed of Repsol's intention to leave the 14,220 sq km 1-21 Han Asparuh block. Total and OMV will be the two remaining participants in the block and, if they maintain their proportional share, Total and OMV will hold approximately 57% and 43% interest in the licence respectively. Total will remain as operator. The news of Repsol leaving the block comes shortly after Total was believed to be seeking an exploration licence extension for 1-21 Han Asparuh and an announcement in December 2019 that stated OMV Petrom SA signed a contract to acquire OMV Offshore Bulgaria GmbH's 30% interest in the licence (closing of the transaction estimated for mid-2020). A 3D seismic survey acquisition over the eastern section of the licence is set to commence on 10 March 2020, the work is being carried out by Shearwater GeoServices and will last for approximately three months. It is believed that Total intend to drill a fourth well in the eastern area after the seismic has been interpreted.  In recent years Total have drilled three wells in the central and western part of 1-21 Han Asparuh: Polshkov 1, Rubin 1 and Melnik 1. The wells are in waters between 1,500 m and 2,000 m deep. Polshkov 1 was spudded in May 2016, it had targets in Lower Oligocene sandstones, Middle Eocene sandstones and Upper Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous carbonates. It is believed that the well discovered oil and gas in the Oligocene play and the TD was called at 5,615 m. In September 2017 the Rubin 1 well was spudded, it is located some 14 km northeast of Polshkov 1. The planned TD was at 5,500 m and its main objective was the Polshkov High structure. The well encountered significant gas shows in the Middle Miocene. In December 2018 Total suspended its operations in the Melnik 1 exploration well without disclosing the well results but the well is thought to be dry. Melnik 1 had objectives in Eocene sandstones and Oligocene fans at a depth of approximately 5,500 m below sea level.  Current interest is held by Total E & P Bulgaria BV (40% + operator), OMV offshore Bulgaria GmbH (30%) and Repsol SA (30%).
Repsol SA - Intend to leave 1-21 Han Asparuh