Marathon has again farmed down its interest in over 2 million acres across 10 blocks in the Polish shale gas play. Following Nexen's entry into the acreage for a 40% interest in April, Mitsui has now taken a 9% interest. With this latest transaction, Marathon remains the operator but its net acreage in the 10 blocks is now 51%.
A five year evaluation period is anticipated that will include both seismic and drilling. At the time of the Nexen deal it was announced that Marathon plans "one or two wells in the fourth quarter of 2011 and potentially drilling seven to eight wells in 2012."
Mitsui also holds 100,000 net acres in the Marcellus shale gas play in the United States through a JV alliance with Anadarko announced in February 2010.