RE: still drilling15 Nov 2022 12:35
This being a side track rather than a new well, the Company expects to be running equipment in hole to a depth of 1300m reasonably swiftly over the weekend and it is above this depth, at around 1150m that a whipstock (essentially a wedge allowing the hole to be drilled at an angle to the vertical) will be set and the 9 5/8" window will be milled through the casing and cement.
Early next week directional drilling begins in earnest in 8.5'' bore at a low angle to the vertical to a total depth of around 2,560m (TD) which should terminate about 1m into the target reservoir. The speed of drilling the first section (8.5'' section) is likely to vary during this element of the programme, but an estimate of 8-10 days is not unreasonable.
Thereafter the drilling will be nearly horizontal and slower for a further 300-400 m. The total programme, including clean up of the well, is expected to last some 35 days. The Company may be able to advise success in the actual drilling activity after approximately 30 days but a further 10 days would be required to begin to have confidence as to likely production rates. However few drilling programmes follow predicted timetables closely and investors should expect variance.
Production from the existing wells continues at previously advised rates at Saltfleetby excepting a four hour planned maintenance shutdown yesterday for a software upgrade.