On 9 December 2018 Total suspended its operations in the Melnik 1 exploration well in the 1-21 Han Asparuh permit. No results have yet been disclosed. The well was spudded in a water depth of approximately 1,950 m on 8 November 2018 using the the âNoble Globetrotter IIâ drillship. Melnik 1 had objectives in Eocene sandstones and Oligocene fans at a depth of approximately 5,500 m below sea level. This well followed the Polshkov 1 and the Rubin 1 exploration wells drilled in the licence by Total respectively in 2016 and 2017.   In early January 2018 the company completed the drilling operations in the Rubin 1 exploration well. According to industry sources, logging operations were conducted probably in the Upper Miocene as well as in the Lower Oligocene where oil and gas shows occurred. Rubin 1 was drilled in a water depth of about 1,500 m about 14 km northeast of the Polshkov 1 exploration well.   In 2016 Total drilled exploration well Polshkov 1. The well was targeting Lower Oligocene sandstones, Middle Eocene sandstones and Upper Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous carbonates. The well reached a total of 7,530 m and was plugged and abandoned as a discovery. Partner Repsol reported that the well encountered oil and gas in an Oligocene play.  Interest in the 14,220 sq km 1-21 Han Asparuh permit is held by Total E & P Bulgaria BV (40% + operator), OMV offshore Bulgaria GmbH (30%, operator until May 2014) and Repsol SA (30%).
Melnik 1 (Total 40% + operator, OMV 30%, Repsol 30%) in the 1-21 Han Asparuh permit, P&A dry,had objectives in Eocene sandstones and Oligocene fans 