KIEV, May 17 – The Petro Hodovanets self-elevating floating drilling rig (SEFDR) will start drilling on BK-1 platform of the Odeske gas field in early June, Chornomornaftogaz state-run company announced.

The company said that delivery of gas to the coast is scheduled for the start of the new heating season – October-November 2012.

"We hope that with such modern equipment, Ukraine will be able to be among leaders in extraction of hydrocarbons in the Black Sea region. In the near future, Chornomornaftogaz will not only considerably accelerate the development of the shelf, but will also consult and provide technical aid to other countries that extract hydrocarbons in the Black Sea," said Naftogaz Ukrainy Chairman Yevhen Bakulin.