Virtus Oil and Gas Corporation spud the conductor hole at the Lone Pine 34-11-5 well in Southern Utah on August 25, 2015.

Energy Drilling's Rig 8 has been assembled onsite and initiated formal operations on August 31, 2015. As of 7:00 a.m. on September 1, 2015, the rig spud the surface hole and reached a depth of 600 feet by 6:30 p.m. the same day. Over the next five to seven days, Rig 8 will drill continue to drill towards a targeted total vertical depth of 7,000 feet.

The well's surface casing was run and cemented in place by Baker Hughes. After the cement has set, aided by an accelerator to speed up to the process, Virtus Oil and Gas will conduct a Formation Integrity Test (FIT). This is a test of the strength and integrity of the casing cement.

Once Rig 8 reaches total depth, an additional 5 to 7 days will be required to complete the initial test well. The time it takes to complete the well is dependent on the results of potential oil shows from the Jurassic-age zones.

Tags: Virtus Oil and Gas Corporation