Oilex advises that the 4-well drilling program in Block 56, Oman, has been completed successfully with very encouraging results from 3 wells including the Al Jumd-1 well for which a testing program is being planned and the Umq-1 well in the central part of the block which had oil and gas shows over more than 500 metres of section.

The Abraj 204 rig has been released from the Umq-1 well location, the final well in the second phase of drilling on Block 56.

The well results have confirmed the oil potential of the Eastern Flank Salt Basin in Block 56 and extended the prospective area into the extensive Central Terrace area where no previous drilling had been carried out. The program included the drilling of the Sarha-2 appraisal/exploration well and the Lathab-1, Al Jumd-1 and Umq-1 exploration wells. The well results are summarised below in sequence of drilling.

Sarha-2 appraisal well confirmed the presence of the oil column in the Al Khlata reservoir interval that was intersected in the Sarha-1 discovery well located approximately 600 metres to the south east of Sarha-2.

Horizontal well intersected up to 275 metres gross interval of oil bearing sands, of which approximately 200 metres is calculated to be productive net pay. Horizontal section was re-drilled due to downhole problems.

Initially produced 150-200 barrels of oil per day (bopd) on pump test following installation of screens to prevent sand production. Oil is heavier than that tested at Sarha-1.

Currently reviewing technical data to determine optimum flow potential and future development strategy prior to long term production test.The well is suspended as a potential production well.

Operator Oilex, with 25%, is joined in Oman by Videocon Industries Limited 25%, GAIL (India) Limited 25% and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited 12.5% and Bharat PetroResources Limited 12.5%.

Tags: Bharat Petroleum, GAIL (India) Limited, Hindustan Petroleum, Oilex