Posted by

u/Ok-GeodesRock49

35 minutes ago

223

Thoughts After Operations Update -

As requested, I am going to provide my thoughts on the Operations Update. I will address each paragraph. The update is inline with my previous posts about the methods used to evaluate the well and it is evident that 88 Energy is using Standard Industry Best Practices.

1.) Update - Details

The Nanushuk Formation, which contains the primary targets for the Merlin-1 well, was encountered ~600’ low to prognosis and is interpreted to be ~500’ thicker than that encountered in the wells drilled into the Willow Oil Field (“Analogue Wells”) to the north of the Project Peregrine acreage. Encouragingly, the gamma log indicates the presence of more sand packages than those in the Analogue Wells and that the sand packages in Merlin-1 are generally cleaner in nature. Reservoir quality will only be known once analysis of the wireline logging is complete.

The fact that the geological formation came in 600 feet low to prognosis is not a concern. The top depth was estimated from 2D seismic. They just had to drill deeper to find it - hence the delay (?). What is new and encouraging, IMO, is that the potential reservoir rocks gained substantial thickness. The original premise for the prospect was to find turbidite fan sandstones near the shelf edge. The only way the sediments could be thicker is find the sediments further towards the fan deposits slightly of the shelf edge and going downslope - i.e., a progressive sand build up. That creates an environment of greater sediment deposition and reduction of shales and clay -- SO a very very good thing.

2.) Update - Details

Oil shows were recorded over multiple intervals in the Nanushuk while drilling Merlin-1, including the primary targets. Fluorescence ranged from relatively weak to moderate “dry” fluorescence with slow to moderate sometimes fast streaming cut when exposed to solvent (see Fig. 1). Mud gas peaks were also recorded and, although generally not of the same scale of the increase in total gas above background as that seen in the Analogue Wells, one of the prospective horizons in Merlin-1 did have substantially elevated total gas, similar to that in the Analogue Wells. Heavier gas components, including C5, were observed over multiple intervals. Resistivity was elevated over these intervals and is encouraging, particularly in the context that the Nanushuk is considered a low resistivity play type.

The mention of oil shows were from the Hydrocarbon Mud-Logs. The description and images in the update are identical with to examples I posted as to description and evidence. The Bright White fluorescence seen in the images is indicative of a very high quality of crude oil, along the lines of 40-45 API gravity. The mention of background gas being and the the interval that recorded higher peaks is encouraging because it indicates low gas saturated oil vs. a gas only interval. The C5 gas component is Pentane, more common in oil.

3.) Update - Details

Fluorescence was also observed in the drilling mud (“pops”) accompanied by a petroliferous odor over three of the target intervals. Significantly, one of these intervals is interpreted to be part of a, potentially separate, sand package that is also present in the Harrier prospect.

Crude oil Fluoresces under Black Light UV. The bright white color is indicative of 40-45 gravity crude oil. The "cuts" by a solvent were very good. Encouraging as the presence of crude oil in the rocks.

4.) Update - Details

The results are considered encouraging and the wireline program will now be run over the next week to determine the presence of mobile hydrocarbons, post a mandatory test of the Blow Out Preventer. Until the wireline has been completed and interpreted, it will not be possible to define whether a discovery has been made.

The results, IMO, are directly inline with what I would hope to see in an Exploratory Wildcat well. The added 500 feet of potential reservoir rock is very encouraging because of the position in the depositional environment near a delta front. One thought is the the well is located proximal to the shelf edge where slumping downslope was penecontemporaneous with deposition - a trap for the sand which became sandstone. If commercial, the area is extended downdip as well as updip on a wide areal extent. SO -the report is very encouraging and actually better than expected from a geological point of view. It is best summarized by what is the last paragraph in the report: Until the wireline has been completed and interpreted, it will not be possible to define whether a discovery has been made. But - now they have an additional 500 feet of potential reservoir rock to evaluate.

I CANNOT FIND ANY NEATIVES IN THE 88 ENRGY REPORT - very encouraging == 500 feet of potential added reservoir.

Below is an image, a geological model per se' of sediments and the depositional environment of the the turbidite fan deposits ---

A turbidite is the geologic deposit of a turbidity current, which is a type of amalgamation of fluidal and sediment gravity flow responsible for distributing vast amounts of clastic sediment into the deep ocean.

Animated Model