Empyrean Regulatory News (EME)

18 Apr 2006 09:05

Empyrean Energy PLC18 April 2006 Empyrean Energy PLC ("Empyrean" or the "Company"; Ticker: (EME)) Drilling Update Eagle North-1 well in California, USA • Oil shows encountered over a horizontal measured interval of 98 feet whilst drilling the curved part of the well. • Casing of the curved part of the well now complete. • Preparing to drill final horizontal stage before setting production liner. AIM quoted Empyrean Energy PLC today announces the following update on the EagleNorth-1 well, California, USA: Victoria Petroleum NL as operator for the Eagle North-1 horizontal well advisesthat at 1800 hours Central Pacific Time 17 April 2006, the current operation atthe Eagle North-1 horizontal well was preparing to drill ahead after setting 41/2 inch casing at 4,281metres (14,045 feet) measured depth after havingencountered good oil shows from the interval 4,255 metres (13,960 feet )measured depth (4,152 metres TVD KB) to 4,285 metres (14,058 feet). The wellbore is currently at an angle of 87 degrees from the vertical. As per previous announcement, the forward plan is to drill a 3 3/4 inchhorizontal well bore for a distance of approximately 320 metres to within 30metres of the Mary Bellocchi-1 oil well. This horizontal stage will be drilledwith a normal pressured water based KCL-Clarizan mud minimising formationinvasion and maximising the evaluation potential of the oil bearing sand. Thiswill result in a planned measured depth of 4,600 metres (15,090 feet). This horizontal well bore will then be completed for production with a 2 7/8inch slotted production liner. Production testing will follow. A further update will be made as information becomes available. Executive Director - Tom Kelly commented "We are pleased with the recentprogress of completion operations and look forward to the next stage ofhorizontal drilling before setting production liner to test." The information contained in this announcement has been reviewed by theTechnical Director of Empyrean Energy Plc, Mr Frank Brophy BSc (Hons) who hasover 40 years experience as a petroleum geologist. For further information Laurence Read/ Angus Prentice Conduit PRTel: +44 (0) 207 429 6603 Mob: +44 (0) 7974 982 512 Toby HowellHB Corporate Tel: +44(0) 207 510 8600 Empyrean Energy plcTel : +44(0) 207 932 2442 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange