Range Resources Limited has announced that drilling on the Shabeel-1 well on the Dharoor Block in Puntland, Somalia has reached a total depth of 3,470 m
The metamorphic basement was encountered at a depth of 3,430 m and drilling has been suspended for future testing.
The well has encountered additional potential net pay sands in the Jurassic Adigrat Formation at a depth of 3,246 to 3,430 m, several of which exhibited oil and gas shows. This is in addition to the previously announced 12 to 20 m zone of significant hydrocarbon pay in the Upper Cretaceous Jesomma Formation.
Petrophysical analysis of the well log data indicates up to three metres of potential hydrocarbon pay in several thin sand units. They are not considered to warrant testing at this time, but do further confirm the existence of a working petroleum system.
The rig will now move to the Shabeel North location which is 3.5 km north of the current location with spudding scheduled for the first week of June 2012. The primary objective of this well will be to evaluate the Upper Cretaceous Jesomma Sands which appear to be oil bearing at the Shabeel location.
Subsequent to the drilling of this well, it is the intention of the company to return to the Shabeel well and test the Jesomma sands once the necessary testing equipment has been mobilised.
"We are very encouraged by the results of the Shabeel well which appears to have confirmed oil bearing sands in two zones,” said Keith Hill, president and chief executive officer of Africa Oil (controlling company of operator, Horn Petroleum Corporation). “This has very positive implications for the prospectivity of the basin. We look forward to the results of the Shabeel North well and to testing the Jesomma sands to confirm the potential of the block."
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