MEO has lined up approvals for proposed liquefied natural gas and methanol production projects sited on concrete gravity structures in the Timor Sea, but has yet to find and prove up the necessary gas reserves.

But the company's NT/P68 permit contains the 1972 Heron gas discovery and MEO has said the block’s Epenarra anticline (which contains the original Heron discovery) and the underlying Heron North Plover structure could hold up to 11 trillion cubic feet of gas.

Fugro’s NT/P68 survey involves drilling shallow boreholes 10–30m into the seafloor at the Heron-2 location and three other option well locations to confirm soil strength for the rig’s legs on the seafloor.

Following this activity, the Fugro Survey geotechnical vessel, M/V Markab, will move to Tassie Shoal to drill 30m to 100m boreholes at the proposed sites of the company’s liquefied natural gas and methanol production projects.

“The subsoil data from the shoal would allow an immediate start to front-end engineering and design studies for these projects in 2008 providing the 2007 drilling program confirms commercial gas resources in NT/P68,” MEO said.

Meanwhile, a CHC Helicopters’ Super Puma contracted to MEO has arrived in Darwin from Malaysia to support the 2007 drilling campaign. The helicopter is finalising Australian certifications and approvals and will be available to the NT/P68 Joint Venture from September 15.

In addition, the West Atlas jack-up rig is in the final stages of fit-out and commissioning, according to MEO.

“The rig is currently undergoing endurance testing and approvals, with final rig inspection being conducted by Rig Inspection Services on behalf of the Company,” MEO said.

Kepel FELS is scheduled to release the completed rig to the owner, Seadrill, on September 15, with handover to MEO expected by September 22.

At this time, the rig will be loaded in Singapore onto the Sealift heavy transport vessel for delivery into Darwin harbour by the end of September. The West Atlas will then be loaded with crew and materials, and wet towed to the Heron-2 well location.

MEO expects to spud Heron-2 on or about October 6.