Manas Petroleum reports on the drilling progress of its second, deeper exploration well at the Huday Nazar SPC-1 (Soh License) Prospect with Santos International Pty. Ltd its Australian-based fellow Shareholders of SPC.
After reaching a total depth of 1515m on August 31st, drilling operations proceeded with the running of the intermediate 9 5/8" casing, with a casing shoe successfully cemented from 1515m to surface. A bottom hole assembly was run, and drilling cement to the 9 5/8" casing shoe at 1509m (measured depth from rotary table). Before 8 ½" drilling activity commenced to invest the primary objective section, a formation integrity test (FIT) at 14ppg mud weight equivalent was conducted on September 4th, 2009. Drilling is proceeding to currently 1840 m level. The primary objective targets are between 1690 and 2400m. The Top Paleocene formation was identified at 136m-measured depth from rotary table, which is 21m deeper than the prognosis. The Upper Sheet Top Cretaceous formation was identified at 684m (MDRT) or 66.3m shallower than the prognosis. And the Top Jurassic formation was identified at the 1485m (MDRT), or 200m shallower than the prognosis.
A considerable thickness of sandstone layers was penetrated by the well in the interval of 1355m-148m (MDRT), where some interesting gas and hydrocarbon showings were recorded. This interval could be identified with the expected objective target (Bed IV oil), but this has not been confirmed as yet from the geological reports. As the drilling program continues, the partners anticipate more interesting intervals in subsequent hole sections, where primary objective reservoirs are interpreted to occur between 1680m and 2400m below ground level which is total well depth. The Prospect was generated as a result of the processing of seismic shot in a recent 2D seismic program by SPC. (South Petroleum Company)
The Huday Nazar replaces the previously planned drilling of the smaller and shallower East Chongora Prospect, which is also in the Soh License area. Acquisition of a total of 800 km of 2D seismic within the SPC licenses was completed as of late May 2009 and seismic processing and interpretation is ongoing as part of a $ 54 million USD seismic, appraisal and drilling program undertaken by Santos International Pty. Ltd.. Santos has the option to discontinue the program after drilling of the second well. Manas Petroleum has a 20% interest in the fully carried exploration program. Preparations by South Petroleum Company are underway for a deep drilling program expected to commence in mid 2010. Manas Petroleum's wholly-owned subsidiary, DWM Petroleum AG is the legal and beneficial owner of 25% of the issued share capital of South Petroleum Company, (SPC).
