Occidental Petroleum (Occidental) suspended its second exploration well XN-66 pending further evaluation within the 5,782 sq km Onshore Block 3 concession during late April 2020. It spudded the well in mid-March 2020, shortly before it completed an extensive 3D seismic acquisition campaign in the block. Occidental initiated a survey to acquire 3D seismic over a targeted section of the acreage during October 2019. Its initial well in the block (XN-65) had been drilled 6.5 km to the north of XN with results unreported. Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) had announced the award of the block to Occidental on 2 February 2019 following the closure of the Abu Dhabi Licensing Block Bid 2018.       The block contract is      operated 100% by Occidental throughout an exploration period extending up      to nine years. It required a US$ 244 million (Dhs 893 million) signature      bonus and will be valid for 35 years if extended through to development      stage, during which time ADNOC will back into the contract.     Block      3 is contiguous to the Shah Sour Gas development project operated by ADNOC      Sour Gas in which Occidental has a significant investment.    SPC      had indicated on 4 November 2018 that it expected the first exploration      and production licenses relating to the Abu Dhabi Licensing Block Bid 2018      to be awarded during the first quarter of 2019. It subsequently      approved the initial award of two offshore blocks to a consortium led by      Eni SpA in January 2019.     Occidental      participated in a competitive bid round. UAE Minister of State and Chief      Executive Officer of ADNOC Group H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber confirmed      that â39 bidding parties from all over the worldâ had elected to actively      join the bid round process, which closed during October 2018.     ADNOC      had launched its inaugural bid round in early April 2018 after delineating      four onshore and two offshore blocks for commercially competitive bidding.      Abu Dhabi remains underexplored and the blocks on offer encompass      significant, multi-billion barrel yet-to-find potential.     Some      of the blocks offered during the inaugural bid round to be held in Abu      Dhabi contain existing discoveries. ADNOC also estimated that there are      310 undrilled reservoirs located within 110 mapped prospects and leads. In      addition to the countryâs conventional potential, the offered blocks also      contain significant unconventional resource potential. Successful bidders      entered agreements that, providing defined targets are achieved in the      exploration phase, would provide them with the opportunity to then develop      and produce any discoveries with ADNOC, under terms set out in the bidding      package.
XN-66 expl. (Oxy 100%), 2nd explo well in onshore block 3, S. of Asab in E. Rub' Al Khali Basin, susp. results n/a late Apr / early May '20. A 3D seismic survey was also completed Apr '20 in block 3, coverage n/a.