Exxon to Drill as BHP Targets Philippines

摘要

Exxon Mobil is ready to start drilling a deepwater well in Service Contract 56 in the South Sulu Sea off the Philippines after BHP Billiton's move to buy into the block was approved earlier this month. The US supermajor originally planned to spud its first well in the highly prospective block in June, but work was delayed without explanation. Local reports initially suggested the delay was because Exxon wanted to focus on resuming production from its troubled Cepu Block in Indonesia before turning to the Philippines (IOD Aug.19,p5).