Ann: Alameda-1 Drilling Update, page-319

I think I can deduct it’s less risk to sidetrack and a full blown cement job. Sounds like some great logs were taken and they’re totally psyched for the flow tests!!!


Continuous excellent oil shows were encountered over the entire gross interval of almost 300 mMD / 245 mTVD whilst drilling the Marti structure. Work has now commenced on preparations for flow testing this interval. The high pressure encountered at the bottom of the Marti structure necessitated the calling of total depth on the Alameda-1 well3 at 3,916 mMD / 3,694 mTVD. It is therefore similarly considered prudent to conduct flow testing a little above this zone. As such, the interval drilled in the Marti structure will be plugged and a short side-track well drilled to about 50 mMD higher than current total depth. Flow testing of the Marti section in the side-track well is therefore currently projected to commence about mid-April.
Melbana Energy’s Executive Chairman, Andrew Purcell, commented: “We’re not sure if we’re seeing evidence of the full extent of this hydrocarbon interval in the Marti sheet, but even if it turns out to be so we’ve got about 300 mTVD of gross hydrocarbon interval - the bottom of which is estimated to be some 500 mTVD from the crest of the Marti structure given we intercepted it down dip. Efforts are now turned to preparations for flow testing.”