RNS6 Apr 2021 00:35
88 Energy Limited ("88 Energy" or the “Company", ASX:88E, AIM:88E, OTC:EEENF) is pleased to
provide the following update related to its operations in the NPR-A region of the North Slope of Alaska.
Highlights
• Initial petrophysical interpretation indicates several potential pay zones in Merlin-1
• New prospective horizon identified at Project Peregrine
• Operational issues prevent hydrocarbon samples from two most prospective zones
Details
The first run of the wireline program included a standard triple combination log with nuclear magnetic
resonance (“NMR”). These tools are designed to identify potential reservoir and resistivity (elevated
resistivity is an indication of hydrocarbon saturation) as well as provide an estimate of the mobility of
the fluid present. Multiple prospective zones were identified, consistent with the shows and logs
obtained whilst drilling, and the NMR tool indicated good mobility across most of these zones.
The second run of the program was designed to take samples across these zones. Initial observations
indicated the presence of an oil signature in the fluid using an optical fingerprint sensor in the downhole
sampling tool, after communication was established with the reservoir in the deepest zone of interest.
Slugging of hydrocarbon and water then occurred, which is often a precursor to hydrocarbon flow from
the reservoir, however; a power outage due to equipment failure necessitated pulling out of the hole
for repairs prior to any sample being obtained. After repairs were completed, the run back in hole
encountered several sticky sections, indicating poor hole condition so a clean out run was undertaken.
Re-entry with the sampling tool was then executed to move to the lowest zone for testing but good
communication was not able to be re-established with the reservoir despite observation of a similar
hydrocarbon signature on the optical fingerprint sensor. The time the hole had been open and
consequent potential formation damage may have contributed to this issue.
A decision was made to move to the next shallowest prospective zone, which had exhibited good oil
shows and petrophysical characteristics, but wellbore condition issues prevented a test as the tool
became stuck. The tool was freed but the risk of returning to that zone was deemed too high.
Not being able to sample these two most prospective zones does not preclude a discovery; however,
analysis of sidewall cores and potentially further drilling may be required for confirmation.
Significantly, one of these zones is considered to be a new prospective horizon within the Nanushuk
Formation that may be wholly within the Project Peregrine acreage and was not one of the pre-drill
targets. The other zone is interpreted to be shared with one of the zones in the Harrier prospect, to
the north of Merlin. Further work, integrating the results from logging with the seismic, is required to
map / re-map the volumetric