Aminex PLC provides the following update on its forthcoming drilling operations in Tanzania:

As previously announced, the Caroil-6 drilling rig, for which Aminex and partners have a contract to drill two exploration wells on the Nyuni licence offshore Tanzania, experienced delays due to the need for remedial work and upgrading. The Caroil-6 rig is currently on location in the adjoining Songo-Songo gas field working for Pan-African Tanzania Ltd.

Current information is that remedial work to the rig will be completed by mid-August following which it will complete its work at Songo-Songo. It is anticipated that the rig will be delivered to the Nyuni partners in late September and will be ready to spud Kiliwani-1, first of two locations in the current Nyuni programme, in the first half of October.

Aminex Chairman Brian Hall commented: “Frustrating as this delay has become, we have used the time well to fine-tune our operational procedures, materials procurement and supporting contracts. The delay is outside our control but we may be confident that the rig, once it has passed inspection, will be in first class operational order”.