Member Info for AGEOS

On 17.10.2019 I posted a detailed account of the then current situation regarding the environmental assessment by Corantioqua (Environmental Authority of the Municipality of Antioquia) of the ANZA region for possible designation as protected TDF (Tropical Dry Forest). See post history for complete text and details of the then current and anticipated OMI mining concessions which would be included in the area proposed for designation, effectively the eastern third of ANZA municipality west of the Cauca river. This includes:

A. c80% of the 3903 hectare LHO-08011 contract application area, including almost all of the 'Jesuitas' target.
B. c50% of the 6219 hectare ICQ-080035X contract application area, including the eastern 25% of the 'La Cejita' target and radiometric anomaly.
C. All of the c3000 hectare, NE portion of the T13635011 current mining concession contract area between 'La Cejita' and the Cauca river.

The most recent update from OMI regarding this issue is included in the “Annual Information Form” for the year ended 31.05.2019, (filed on SEDAR on 03.09.2019) on page 17 under the title “Tropical Dry Forest Temporary Protected Area”, reproduced in full as follows:

“In August 2015, the Ministry of Environment of Colombia delineated a temporary protected area with the objective to review the existence of biodiversity areas such as the tropical dry forest (“TDF”) in order to give them a protected area status. This was done via a precautionary measure, thus without any prior study of the areas and for a term of 2 years, which was extended for another year in 2017, and extended one more year on October 22, 2018, through resolution 1987.
During such term, the competent environmental authorities for each area are supposed to declare, delineate and categorize the temporary areas of protection and development of the natural resources contained.
The temporary protected area includes "Polygon 15: Tropical Dry Forest” located in the jurisdiction of Antioquia which affects partially the Company´s mining licences.
In 2018, a special Work Group was formed with affected parties, including the Company, the Mining Agency and the local Environmental Agency in order to define a protected area limit and category.
The environmental authority (Corantioquia) has already determined that the area to be protected within the Anzá titles will be categorized as an Integrated Management Regional District. This category allows mining activity to co-exist with the TDF under special controls and requirements.
In parallel, the Corporation is in advanced discussions with Corantioquia together with neighbour mining players in order to agree a new delimitation of the TDF which reduces the area affecting the Anzá project. "

To be continued

Samspade4, the proactive article you cite includes quotes from a 22.01.2018 RNS reporting results of tests on three CS master samples, a perlite and tuff from Main Zone and a tuff from the Tuff Zone, using AS-reaction aggregates from Colorado, so independent of the NDOT study but similarly positive.
Dubliner, you're welcome; good to know it added cheer. Thanks to others also.
AGEOS

On 20.05.2020 I referenced a NDOT (Nevada Dept of Transport) Research Report entitled “Use of Nevada's Natural Pozzolans to Mitigate alkali-silica Reactivity.” published in July 2018. This details the results of a University of Nevada commissioned study into the effect of four locally sourced, but unspecified, natural pozzolans in reducing the adverse (ASR) alkali-silica reaction inherent in many concrete mixes.

Whilst reading the Report it became apparent that one of the four pozzolans (N4) has a chemical composition (pp 32 Table 2.4) similar to that of the CS Average samples on which the ASTM C1567 (ASR Mitigation) and other ASTM tests were undertaken by CTL Thompson for SRES and which led to certification of the Main Zone and Tuff Zone pozzolans in June 2018. The significant chemical similarities are SiO2 70.4%(CS) 72.97%(N1); Al2O3 12.5%(CS) 12.27%(N1); Fe2O3 1.9%(CS) 2.21%(N1); CaO 1.5%(CS) 0.8%(N1); K2O + Na2O 7.3%(CS) 6.62%(N1) and SO3 0%(CS) 0.02%(N1).

It is of course possible that the N4 pozzolan was from the CS Project but that of itself, being supposition, is not important. What is significant is that based on the similarity in chemical composition, the study results relating to N1 can be inferred as probably being equally applicable to the CS pozzolan, and since the study used 7 Nevada-sourced aggregates it has direct relevance to the suitability of the CS pozzolans for use by Nevada-based cement manufacturers. No cement manufacturer will use a pozzolan which is not best compatible with the preferred local aggregates.

It therefore seems reasonable to conclude that the following study results relating to the N4 pozzolan may also apply to the CS pozzolans.
It performed best of all the four pozzolans in exhibiting the lowest average ASR-induced expansion for all aggregates accepting that the % by weight substitution for Portland Cement varied between 15% and 25% (ref section 6.1, pp 115-116)
Loss of strength due to ASR appeared more nuanced being dependant on aggregate and % substitution for Portland cement (ref section 6.2. pp 116-117)

Whether or not the N1 pozzolan was sourced from CS, the results of this NDOT study should be very supportive of SRES attempts to have its CS pozzolan utilized by Nevada-based cement manufacturers.
AGEOS.

Thanks for the responses and apologies for delay in replying; sunny outdoors too tempting this afternoon.

SGD27. Potential new-comers to the natural pozzolan market, such as North-South Holdings, are probably being ultra cautious as industry is still in early R & D phase regarding use of the material. Geofortis has spent three years evaluating thousands of formulations and registering its own patents and there is comparable institutional research in progress which will probably lead to NP Standards being adopted for all cementatous materials. Inevitably some natural pozzolan deposits will not comply with those standards as the mineralogy differs both stratigraphically and laterally from place to place. N-S Hldgs appears to have rights only and will need a proven market to attract the necessary investment capital for development.

Jonjb. PC has confirmed (24.04.2019 RNS) “Positive results from concrete trials by second large cement/ready-mix company using Company's natural pozzolan.” so no, I'n not pessimistic re pozzolan market, just realistic. The Tom Adams connection I mentioned may be significant as he is ex-Nevada Cement and they may need a new source of pozzolan, their new Mustache Pozzolan Quarry apparently producing rather erratically. This was intended to replace the fly-ash and Fernley Mine pozzolan they were using, in part to meet their state contract for road surfacing.
With regard to mine set-up costs PC appears to be aiming for a minimum capital outlay supported by equipment lease/hire and operational sub-contracting so no particular concerns there.
As to share price predictions I don't indulge; too many potential variables. However, with the current mkt cap of £4m based on 3,314m shares in issue and a producing mine in prospect, I guess the upside potential comfortably exceeds the downside. I foresee Perlite as the profit-driver here especially with the NewPerl and Jackson Wash Projects potentially adding significantly to reserves.
AGEOS.

continuation:

PC has been persistent in advocating a low capital cost, modest production, phased start-up for the project, which is consistent with the constraints imposed by the structural disposition and mineralogy of the mineable deposit, and the still early stage development of the regional market. Geofortis, a potential competitor on which I've focussed in several previous posts (eg 14.09.2018 & 26.03.2019), is now advancing its 600,000TPA Reno plant to utilize its nearby 150MT Lassenite resource for production of a range of pozzolanic formulations based on its own patents. On 26.03.2019 ( paragraph 3) I also indicated that a Geofortis formulation was a likely contender for the “Reformulation of Concrete Paving Mixtures” being undertaken by the Nevada Department of Transport, since when I note the NDOT published a Research Report (No 224-14-803 TO 16) in July 2018 “Use of Nevada's Natural Pozzolans to Mitigate alkali-silica Reactivity” pp 137, which tested four local natural pozzolans as constituents for concrete mixes. Although the source of the four was not revealed I assume that Nevada Cement (Fernley Mine), CR Minerals and Hess Pumice were the most likely suppliers and Geofortis the fourth. The context and full relevance of this is detailed in my post of 02.09.2018 regarding Tom Adams, SRES consultant. As outlined in the final paragraph of that post, the Nevada Cement Company may still require an alternative source of pozzolan to that of its Fernley Mine, for which the CS Project may be a contender. If however anyone feels dismissive of potential alternative sources of natural pozzolan in the region, there is a 4BT deposit NE of Los Angeles awaiting a favourable economic climate for development. Thankfully for SRES perlite is far less ubiquitous so I'm sure PC will want to prioritize that component of the CS Project and also bring the NewPerl and Jackson Wash Projects into play as soon as possible.

Having bought into SRES in 2015 on the strength of my 'inferred resource' estimates of the Bay State Silver Mine Project, I progressively reduced my interests thereafter in favour of alternative opportunities, whilst still recognising the potential of the CS Project. I may now reinvest. Good to see several of the ex-MARL fraternity still here and hopefully about to be rewarded for your patience.
AGEOS/intheno

Since my last post here, in March 2019,the CS Project has progressed much as anticipated although well within the constraints indicated by the source-rock tonnages detailed in my 11.11.2017 (updated 28.08.2018) posts. Those calculations, based on all the core-log data transposed onto a 300m grid for the whole site, indicated a potential resource of 28Mt (Million tonnes) Pozzolanic Source-Rock and 3.95Mt Perlite Source-Rock for the Main Zone and 13.29Mt Pozzolanic Source-Rock for the Tuff Zone.

The recently released Mine Plan (ref page 12 Environmental Assessment Document May 2020) and Mine Production volumetrics (ref page 10 ditto) indicate an economic resource of 8,327,000 tons of pozzolan and 1,656,000 tons of perlite from the Main Zone and 6,196,000 tons of pozzolan from the Tuff Zone. These totals, which are substantially below the Source-Rock tonnages, are a reflection of the geological constraints both in terms of the structural geology and the mineralogy. Those who understand the structural geology will appreciate that the Main Zone resource is severely constrained to N and S by the topographic variance in the andesitic basement and probably likewise for the Tuff Zone with the addition of a mineralogically deleterious facies transition westwards. The much reduced Perlite tonnage in the Main Zone appears due in part to rejection of the previously presumed northern extension as indicated by trench sampling, as this area is part occupied by the mine works complex in the published mine plan. Perlite, in the context of this rhyolitic dome geological setting is probably confined to the selvages of rhyolitic flows or to stratiform accumulations interbedded with the pozzolanic ash-fall deposits and is therefore very localised in extent. Perlite extension into the NE Zone is as yet unknown based on a single bore-hole.
To be continued

Re BMD maybe he's just plagiarizing the geo-fraternity. Two of the onshore Mandji Fields, Gabon comprising c1500 bopd are thought to be the most likely candidates. However, we shall soon know.

Those who are familiar with ZEN's REDPSA contract with SOCAR will know that the impending divestment of the CRA (Contract Rehabilitation Area) ref yesterday's RNS, whilst depriving the company of c180 bopd production, will in compensation relieve it of obligations now proven to be of considerable liability.
What they will also know and which will presumably be unappreciated by most new investors is that the remainder of the REDPSA contract and especially that which relates to the c100 sq km CRA (Contract Exploration Area), SW & NW of, and adjacent to, the Zardab and Gishlag structures, has considerable exploration potential. Likewise for the associated Area for Development Drilling (Sarisu Marsh). See details in many previous posts.
Confirmation of the CRA handover will presumably be accompanied by RNS update on reaffirmation of the REDPSA contract relating to these areas and of the associated drilling obligations. In the latter respect I assume involvement of Zena Drilling which appears to have retained its full staff complement, and an upgraded BD-260 rig.
PS Welcome to new posters, especially those who bother to research beforehand.
AGEOS

The Sidi El Kilani oil field (SLK) was, as alluded to in my post of 22.03.2020, the subject of a Wood Mackenzie Report (Dec 2019), a signal to the industry of a commercial opportunity and one which the ZEN BOD obviously responded to with speed. . As the 02.03.2020 RNS states “There are no plans to issue equity consideration to fund the Acquisition” and the most recent 20.04.2020 RNS reiterates that the offtake agreement currently in negotiation is “to fund the Acquisition and its development post-completion”. Thus it appears that the deal will be close to cost-neutral in the short to medium term.

The current Sidi Kilani Exploration Concession is due to expire 24.12.2022 (ref Tunisian Association of Public Controllers) so for the remaining period of the Concession 'development' costs are likely to be limited to 'enhancement and workovers' and so within the limits of anticipated production revenue. Note that 5 well interventions and workovers were undertaken in 2017 ( ref KUFPEC Annual Report) which probably includes all the currently producing wells, there being 7 originally. Plans for drilling additional wells, if any, would be subject to a Concession Extension Agreement beyond 2022.

If KUFPEC's net production (22.5%) from SLK during the last decade is maintained then ZEN can anticipate an average daily production of c150 bopd. The reported totals of 150 boepd for 2018 and 147 boepd for 2017 are probably incorrectly stated as boepd as there is no record of a gas or condensate component for any of the wells and most previous annual totals were expressed as bopd, ie 2016 (165 bopd); 2015 (170 boepd); 2014 (211 bopd); 2013 (219 bopd); 2012 (170 bopd) 2011 (120 bopd) and 2010 (234 boepd).

I have access to sufficient of the SLK geotechnical data to have some understanding of the field and of its remaining production potential but will not enlarge on that at present. Suffice to say KUFPEC can reflect on their success with some pride as 27 million barrels from SLK-4, more than half of the fields total production in under 2 decades, is an impressive number. The wells target localised zones of open fracturing and dolomitisation in the 550m thick Abiod carbonates and as a 400m, 500 bopd, lateral offset drilled in 2002 to test the geological model demonstrated, the field may still offer additional production.
AGEOS.

Highlander47
Yes "AC was in Tunisia and/or West Africa last week"
I would not have made the statement without knowing it to be true and having made a judgement that disclosing the fact does not compromise personal trust.

As AC was in Tunisia and/or West Africa last week, either of these could be the first acquisition to be announced and both probably in advance of the AAOGC Tilapia deal since that must await the AAOG GM of 16th April and conclusion of national regulatory requirements. As mentioned in a previous post (21.02.2020) the 'West African' c1000+600bopd dual-asset is most likely to be in the Gabon Coastal Basin or the Cameroon Douala/Kribi-Campo Basin, with Angola-Cabinda and Angola Kwanza outside possibilities. An acquisition in Gabon would benefit from the improved fiscal regime enshrined in the 2019 Hydrocarbons Law and the Convention for Marginal and Mature Fields.

The Italian acquisition is likely to be delayed due to protracted approval by the Italian Ministry of Economic Development according to an RNS released by CORO today. CORO has also temporarily suspended production at three of the four gas fields so AC may well take the opportunity to renegotiate the deal on more favourable terms.

With regard to the recently RNS'd LOI for US$2m, at today's conversion rate this implies an issue of 64.8m shares at 2.5p which would constitute 10% of the then enlarged share cap of 642m shares in issue (577m as of 17.02.2020 + 64.8m) and a mkt cap of £16m. The consortium of institutional investors behind the deal may also be prime candidates for further investment via the EUR 25m EMTN non-convertible bond issue.
AGEOS

Bandyabout, the “speaker presentation” you refer to was in fact AC's contribution to the CIEHC4 conference held on 19-24 February 2020 at Brazzaville (See my post of 17th Feb for details). Mis678's 11.28 Thursday post is incorrect.
As a newcomer you should be aware that many contributors to this BB are untrustworthy and much that appears here is misinformation and probably intentionally so.
AGEOS

Entreprise Tunisienne d'Activites Petrolieres (ETAP), the Tunisian national oil company, has apparently been actively encouraging prospective O & G operators to farm-in to specific producing oil fields for a year or more . Of the 56 fields listed by ETAP, 42 are shared concessions, of which 23 are onshore oil-fields and 4 onshore O & G.

Of the 23 onshore oil fields there are several which appear to be available for such negotiation but only one which meets the production criteria stated in ZEN's 02.03.2020 RNS. However, since the transaction may be ancillary to other, third-party acquisitions currently in progress, it would be inappropriate to identify the oil field by name or disclose sufficient detail to assist identification. Suffice to say that it was considered to be of sufficient commercial interest to be the subject of a Wood Mackenzie Report.
With regard to an oil major as potential farm-in partner, ENI the Italian global, has long been well established in Tunisia with considerable O & G assets and highly diversified interests across the whole energy sector. AC, and fellow directors Luigi Milano and Dario Sodero will no doubt have influential ENI contacts.

With oil prices now back to the 1986-2003 range we can be sure that whatever deal AC is negotiating it will reflect this economic reality. The date of 31.03.2020 mentioned in the initial RNS for completion of negotiations was not repeated in the 12.03.2020 Update RNS so a revision of terms and a delay in conclusion is to be expected. Despite the currently adverse global climate for upstream petroleum ventures Tunisia has very flexible fiscal terms for different production sharing projects so there can be reasonable expectation of a successful outcome. Also, since initial funding is to be inherent in an offtake agreement and equity finance is specifically excluded, the current depressed SP and consequent mkt cap need not affect the transaction adversely. In view of the seemingly neutral acquisition costs and near-term income flow from this transaction it would appear imperative to conclude this before any of the other intended acquisitions. .
AGEOS.

From my perspective this appears to be positive news today with both the realignment in Azerbaijan and a second acquisition in Africa, ie Tunisia, consistent with long-term strategy. The failed rehabilitation efforts in Azer are unsurprising to anyone with geotechnical know-how, and more importantly, do not necessarily detract from prospective potential.

As I emphasised on 13.02.2020 the REDPSA agreement was effectively a dual contract with different operational obligations for each of the two components, the Contract Rehabilitation Area (CRA) and the Exploration Area (EA). Returning the CRA to SOCAR will as stated in the RNS “achieve a near total reduction of operating expenses in Azer”, at least for that part of the contract, whilst retention of the EA will enable Zena Drilling to operate the BD-260 within what is a c100sq km (double that of Tilapia) highly prospective area with potentially substantial oil reserves. If the c50sq km area designated for the Development Drilling Programme (DDP) is also retained, then M-247 and the Sarisu marsh area will be back in play with 'Probable' undeveloped reserves estimated at 43,520 MSTB (Thousand Stock Tank Barrels) from the M Eocene flanking traps (ref Chapman CPR 2016 pp 62). AC confirms in today's RNS that the “25-year REDPSA....remains intact, with regard to exploration activities to be undertaken during 2020 and potentially beyond.” so we await details of the intended exploration programme and the associated operational obligations.

As for the Tunisian asset, the ongoing negotiations with an oil major, to fund the acquisition via an offtake agreement and consequent avoidance of an equity issue, should, on completion, provide a significant boost to the mkt cap. Whatever proportion of the initial 700bopd production ZEN receives from the deal it should more than compensate for the loss of the current 180bopd Azer receipts and contribute significantly to positive cash-flow. Any resulting enhancement of SP from the current levels would then translate into a reduction in equity, currently c54m shares @ 0.925p, due as part payment for the Tilapia acquisition. For that sequential scenario to succeed, completion of the Tunisian deal must have priority over completion of the Congo Tilapia agreement. So an eventful month ahead.
AGEOS.

Ezhik
Thanks for yesterday's response which seems to confirm we are of similar mind regarding the challenges facing ZEN and the solutions required. With Urals now at $49.35 ZEN's current 210bopd from Azer needs the anticipated boost in production from C-37 regardless of the bond issue. So hopefully we will see the A-100 rig at C-37 within the next 14 days, as scheduled.
With regard to Tilapia I understand that Samir Hashimov, Deputy Director of ZEN's subsidiary Zena Drilling and a research fellow at the Azerbaijan State Oil Academy, was part of the team in W Africa. That indicates a rigorous geotechnical assessment of the target wells so some reassurance on that front.
Best wishes for the future.
AGEOS

KAM, yes I still have confidence in a successful outcome to ZEN's operations, to the extent of continuing to buy shares. The current mkt cap of £6m ( based on 577m shares in issue @ 1.05p) indicates a contrary view by 'the market', presumably exacerbated by fears of the economic consequences of a pandemic.

Leaving aside the latter, the possible effects of which are speculative, my assessment of the situation in Azerbaijan is as I posted on 13.02.2020, and the prospect of success to the Tilapia license acquisition appears increasingly probable if the most recent RNS is taken at face-value.
The resumption of operations in Azer is no doubt awaiting legal clearance from SOCAR which may well coincide with formal acceptance of the joint SOCAR/Aran Oil 2020/21 Operational Plan, due by March 15th. BB speculation that the operational hiatus at C-37 and C-30 is a consequence of ZEN policy is, I'm sure, baseless. One needs to bear in mind that SOCAR is a governmental behemoth with a bureaucratic decision-making structure and ZEN a minnow of relative insignificance. The c300bopd at C-37 may be vital to ZEN but is of no consequence to SOCAR.

With the enforced, but temporary, cessation of activity in Azer, AC has no alternative but to press ahead with other developments, that in the Congo obviously being foremost in the pipeline, with that of the as yet unknown other 'W African' asset hopefully to follow soon. AC will be in no hurry to progress the Coro Italian asset acquisition as he needs the ZEN SP as high as possible to cover the second equity payment should production meet the targets defined in the acquisition agreement.
Incidentally, James Menzies, CEO of CORO recorded a lengthy interview on the 25th Feb with CRUX Investor which provides informative parallels with the challenges facing ZEN, both companies having similar strategies and objectives albeit in different jurisdictions. He mentions the disposal of Italian assets without naming ZEN.
AGEOS

Today's tweets of AC with the President of the Republic of the Congo is an indication of the ZEN BOD's ambitions in that country and perhaps elsewhere in W Africa. Those ambitions were outlined briefly in the recent Jeune Afrique Business+ article (thanks to lutefish) and further indicated by the appointment of Andre-Brice Boumbendje, ex-Schlumberger & Marathon, and Gabon representative on OPEC, as an advisor to ZEN.

We also know from the RNS of 12.02.2020 “Potential acquisition of major production asset, West Africa” that the company is in “final stage negotiations with a national oil authority” for a production license for an initial 1000+bopd asset “formerly operated by a major international oil company” and “ the asset will not require material upfront capital investment”.
The Jeune Afrique report suggests this and other potential acquisitions are likely to be in Gabon, Angola or the Cameroon, all of which have revised their hydrocarbon regulatory and fiscal systems to attract inward investment.

The coastal onshore O & G fields which ZEN will be appraising are, from N to S, those within the Douala Basin (Cameroon), Gabon Coastal Basin (c25 fields in c20 currently available blocks, from the current total of 185 fields with 2P reserves of 5629Mboe), Congo Basin (single available block in Angola – Cabinda, a geographically separate enclave) plus c10 blocks in the Lower Congo Basin of N Angola, and the Kwanza (Cuanza) Basin (Angola) which has c12 mature oil fields and 23 onshore blocks, none currently under active development.

Major upgrades of West African offshore and near-shore geophysical data mainly by PGS (Petroleum Geo Services of UK) and CGG (French global) has in recent years greatly improved the understanding of subsea geological structure, from which it is now possible to assess the further potential of mature onshore oil fields.

AC will no doubt prioritise opportunities with minimum upfront capital costs and maximum near-term production whilst simultaneously trying to maximise production from the Azer assets with C-37 and C-30 the immediate objectives. Clearly receipts from Azer production and the bond issue will be key to success of ZEN's strategy.
AGEOS.

AC is one of the speakers at the CIEHC4 Congo Oil & Gas conference 19-21 Feb 2020, Brazzaville, the “Official platform for the government to share and discuss its vision for the future of the national oil and gas industry with the key stakeholders in the country.”

https://oilgascongo.com

I doubt he would be speaking without near certainty of ZEN's future involvement in the country.
AGEOS

Thanks for the responses. The 11.02.2020 RNS confirmed that “In recent months, the Company has acquired additional drilling equipment to enhance its 1,200hp drilling rig, and enlarged its spare parts inventory in view of near-term drilling activities.” I take the first part of that to imply what I outlined on 14.01.2020, namely “the recent hiatus in operational news regarding C-30 may...involve....upgrading the BD-260 rig in anticipation of both M-247, for which >1000m laterals may be intended, and for the Exploration Area well.” The enhanced BD-260 is, I guess, disassembled and at base awaiting SOCAR approval for C-30 drilling.
Information from the flow tests at C-37 might have a significant bearing on what they decide to do at C-30 since the two wells are only c500m apart, so for example if the data indicates absence of reservoir connectivity there might be an option to drill one or more laterals at C-30 as the rig will presumably now possess the capabilities for doing so. I will enlarge on those possibilities, if appropriate, nearer the time.
AGEOS

Contrary to what some BB posts here have implied, the forthcoming bridge-plug operation at C-37 will have required thorough geotechnical planning and design, and may provide significant challenges to successful completion. Although the Zena A-100 rig is to be used it is possible that specialists will be employed for the plug emplacement.
From the limited information available it appears that the plug will be located immediately below the M Eocene productive section in an 'open-hole' ie uncased setting and since the stated purpose is to isolate the downhole Cretaceous sequence it presumably requires a permanent 'cement' plug. That implies that the plug is most likely to be emplaced using a 'dump bailer' run into the well on wireline. Interestingly the A-100 'front-on' 13th Feb twitter photo shows a guy inspecting what appears to be a bailer ie the pipe fitted with spacers for guidance within well-casing. The “custom-built” spec will include some integral mechanics and electronics eg logging-tools, and probable flexibility for ease of run-in.
As the plug is to be in 'open-hole' it is not possible to install a mechanical packer as a base for the 'cement', the most likely substitute being a bentonite or polymer-based thixotropic support plug emplaced during initial run-ins of the bailer. Only when that is confirmed in place and sufficiently gelled will the 'cement' plug be emplaced, that too requiring several downhole runs. In an open-hole setting 'squeeze-cementing' techniques, used to enhance an impermeable interface with the wellbore walls, are inapplicable so the 'cement' plug will most likely be extended up-hole for several metres to compensate for this.
The 'cement' composition will presumably have been designed using simulation testing based on all known downhole physical and chemical parameters. It may well include emplacement of several 'cements' each of different composition, in sequence. This would be necessary for example, if the plug location is within the M Eocene basal limestones or is to provide the dual function of shutting off a high water-inflow zone.
Even from this highly simplified account it should be evident that this is not a “run of the mill” infallible procedure. However, failure of plug emplacement is invariably followed by further attempts until success is achieved.. As the 11.02.2020 RNS refers to rig “mobilisation within the next 30 days” and the 13th Feb photo tweet indicates rig and 'dump bailer' testing in progress, C-37 operations should be underway soon. After completion the well will be placed on test to achieve optimum production, anticipated to be in the 250-300bopd range (ref 12.12.2019 RNS), with stimulation an option for future enhancement.
AGEOS.