Progress16 Jan 2024 12:18
Tai 3 was spudded on Monday 25th Sept. and at 11.42pm on Wednesday 4th October it was announced that the Rig had a problem, and drilling had stopped. That's 9 full days operating the drill. They stated that the BOP well protection equipment was installed and tested, and they were drilling down, presumably the intermediate section. It was also stated that they were expecting to reach TD of 1100m on the upcoming weekend, the 7th/8th October. Obviously this didn't transpire, but the timescale would have been on target for their original estimate of 2 weeks!
At Itumbula, we are on our 11th day, BOP fitted and hopefully tested, and presumable drilling down now, to 800-850m anticipated TD. Timescale will be extended as we are stopping to test and sample on the way down, as was stated in the last RNS/Interview, but if all is progressing smoothly, then the end of this week should give us some news.
Very Good, waffle, or final admission of failure will be the question!