Further to the Company's announcement of 8 January 2019, the Company confirms that mechanical stimulation and testing operations on the EMS-1001 well in the Company's Fraccion C licence, onshore Argentina, have been completed.
The well was mechanically stimulated through a 4m perforated interval in the Tobifera formation between 1892m and 1896m. Following clean-up operations using coiled tubing, EMS-1001 produced a mixture of pumped stimulation fluid and formation water at an average rate of 465 b/d while being artificially lifted using swabbing. No hydrocarbons were recovered from the well which suggests that the interpreted hydrocarbons present in the section are not mobile.
Based on these testing results, the Company has concluded that the EMS-1001 location is not commercial and no further testing is planned. The well will now be shut-in.
Martin Hull, Managing Director of Echo, commented:
The disappointing results of the EMS 1001 stimulation have demonstrated the challenges of working in a new volcaniclastic play. As we continue with our very active 2019 work programme we are now focused on more typical reservoirs, without volcaniclastics, in the West of the basin (Tapi Aike) and the Springhill in our C,D & L licences in the East. We have a heavy work programme at Tapi Aike this year, with seismic acquisition currently ongoing, leading to an exciting drilling campaign.
