Gastar Exploration Inc. has reached total depth on the vertical pilot hole for its first Utica/Point Pleasant well in Marshall County, West Virginia. The Simms 5-UH well was drilled to a total depth of 11,410 feet and encountered approximately 92 net feet of pay in the Point Pleasant formation with measured porosities up to 17%. Gastar expects estimated formation pressures to be approximately 9,400 psi upon completion of the well.

Gastar is currently plugging back the well in order to drill a 4,200 foot horizontal section in the Point Pleasant formation. After drilling the lateral, a 23-stage completion is planned followed by a three week "soaking" of the well with first production expected in late August 2014.

Tags: Gastar Exploration Ltd.