RE: Next news16 Apr 2023 19:51
BG,
As you know, after NT-1 I was shouting for 3D, as the 2D was way out on the depth of the target, or they missed the target and were just lucky to hit a deeper target.
"The well was spudded on the 22 December 2011 and is now at a depth of 2500 metres. The targeted sandstone intervals were not encountered at the prognosed depths between 1,800 and 1,900 metres. Further drilling found sandstone intervals along with traces of gas below 2,300 metres. Wireline logs and check shot data will now be recorded to determine whether or not to drill further."
https://www.investegate.co.uk/aminex-plc/rns/ntorya-1-drilling-update/201202070700379262W/
"On the 10 February 2012 it was announced that the well would be deepened to test an additional target identified on the seismic data at a depth of approximately 2,750 metres. The well has now been drilled to 2,750 metres, and prior to reaching that depth encountered strong gas shows in a good quality reservoir sand at a depth of approximately 2,660 metres. A logging programme will commence shortly to evaluate the new section drilled below 2,500 metres and a further update will be provided after the logging programme has been completed."
https://www.investegate.co.uk/aminex-plc/rns/ntorya-1-drilling-update/201202150700334319X/
But instead of 3D AEX just did 2D infill around NT-1 in 2014. I put this down to them not wanting to raise the cash it would have cost for 3D, they didn't want the dilution so tried to battle on with just 2D.
"Completed US$15 million equity issue to move the work programme forward in Ruvuma and progress the Company to production at Kiliwani North"
"Infill seismic acquisition in progress to appraise up-dip portion of the Ntorya-1 discovery"
But if you look at slide 11 of the 2022 AGM presentation you have to say that NT-2 location was still poorly selected, as the further up-dip you go the thicker the pay zone, and at the best location it's about 5x thicker than at NT-2, so could have been a HUGE producer. 3D Seismic could easily have made them pick the better location, and we may never have had to farm out, or farm down to 25%.
I'm so glad ARA went straight to 3D before going ahead with drilling, as it's something AEX should have done after NT-1 showed the 2D wasn't the right choice for Ruvuma geology.
http://admin.aminex-plc.com/uploadfiles/2022%20AGM%20Presentation.pdf