Neptune Petroleum (Uganda) Limited (Neptune) the wholly-owned subsidiary of Tower Resources has completed operations on the Iti-1 exploration well in Uganda Licence EA5.

The well, which was drilled to a total depth of 592 meters, did not encounter any producible reservoir sands at the Iti-1 location. Minor hydrocarbon shows were monitored during drilling but evidence of limited quantities of oil in the lowermost target horizon remained ambiguous in the subsequent down-hole well logs and pressure test data. Neither of these observations has any relevance to the commercial viability of this well but may have wider exploration significance. A complete re-evaluation of the well data, combined with all other available technical data, will be undertaken as a priority to determine a more prospective location for a second well. The lack of reservoir at this location could not justify further testing or the immediate move to drill a second well.

Tower's Chairman, Peter Kingston, commented: "The result is very disappointing for everyone involved, not least the people of West Nile. However, this is a very large Licence and there is every chance that far better reservoir sand quality can be found elsewhere in EA5. There is much to learn from this first well which will help with future exploration activities on the Licence."

Tags: Tower Resources plc