lessons learned

Seems the DLS crew took a lot of notice from what our operator did (or, didn't do) with Keppel-1, which had to be pulled with 1,200 metres to go due to nearly being blown out of the ground. They are drilling in separate stages and have upgraded their rig to cope with the expected high pressures and temperatures (maybe, should have also been anticipated in Keppel-1 which is in the very deepest part of the N.T.!!).
All of DLS's wells are in the eastern extreme of the Nappamerri Trough and immediately bordering the south eastern section of APT855. Very relevant to Icon and the overall assessment of the N.T.
This is from DLS's QR.
In the Unconventional Business,Drillsearch has continued to make early-stage exploration progress with the completion of top-hole drilling for the first three wells of our shale gas and tight sand exploration campaign
in ATP 940P, in partnership with QGC,a BG company.

The Weatherford 826 drilling rig is currently undergoing upgrades with specialist high-pressure high temperature (HPHT) equipment,after which it will be the most fit-for-purpose HPHT drilling unit in Australia.

Following completion of the upgrade Drillsearch will deepen the three top-hole sections through the multiple reservoir formations beginning with Charal-1 in mid-
February.
The initial four-well exploration campaign is testing the potential for gas production from unconventional shale and tight sand gas zones in the Nappamerri Trough. Final processing of the Winnie 3D seismic survey data has been completed, with additional ATP 940P drilling locations currently being optimised. Following the initial four-well
drilling and stimulating program, the Joint Venture is planning an additional six appraisal and delineation wells which will form the nucleus of an initial unconventional production pilot.

All worth a big watch for ICN shareholders.