Kosmos Energy KOS 0.00% today provided an update on the company's drilling of the Cedrela-1 exploration well offshore the Republic of Ghana. The "Transocean Marianas" semi-submersible drilling rig, under contract to another operator in Ghana, was expected to arrive at the Cedrela-1 well location on the West Cape Three Points Block on or about July 10 to commence drilling Kosmos' Cedrela-1 well near the block's southern boundary. The rig was rendered temporarily inoperable following a reported anchor-handling incident on the Offshore Cape Three Points Block, which is east of the Kosmos-operated West Cape Three Points Block. The incident occurred while preparations were being made to move the rig from the other operator's block to the Cedrela-1 well location.
Kosmos has delivered a force majeure notice to the government of Ghana and the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation due to the delay in the rig's scheduled arrival at the Cedrela-1 well location. As a result, Kosmos has begun a search for a substitute drilling rig and intends to drill the Cedrela-1 well when either the "Transocean Marianas" or an alternative rig becomes available. The company has the necessary approvals to drill the Cedrela-1 well and anticipates that a rig will be available soon.
Kosmos is the operator of the West Cape Three Points Block in which the company holds a 30.875% interest. An affiliate of Anadarko Petroleum Corporation has a 30.875% interest; an affiliate of Tullow Oil plc has a 22.896% interest; E.O. Group Limited has a 3.5% interest;
Sabre Oil & Gas Holdings Limited has a 1.854% interest; and the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation has a 10% carried interest.