The basement has been found to be shallower than expected. This...

The basement has been found to be shallower than expected. This can go either way as something is slowing the sound speed down on the seismics to give the interpretation that the basement is further away.

=> possible hydrocarbons present, although water, and less dense sedimentaries can give this effect as well.

The resistivity logs are not enough to tell if it is a commercial volume of hydrocarbon there. I assume to the column to be quite wet with a high background resistivity. The company is correct to say too early too tell and fluid sampling needs to be undertaken.

Anyone claiming it to be a duster or a gusher is bull**itting.

It is too early too tell, and I doubt there is a leak from such an isolated drill site. What was seen in the UK last night was a bear raid plain and simple.