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Aminex announced the result of the Malak-1 exploration well in Egypt. Malak-1, the first in a three well programme on the West esh el Mellahah concession (“WEEM-2”) in the onshore Gulf of Suez and operated by an associated company, Aminex Petroleum Egypt Ltd., reached a total depth of 3,692 metres and obtained positive gas readings from several intervals, proving the presence of hydrocarbons. However, these were not considered to be commercial and the well will now be abandoned.
The rig will shortly be moved to the next location selected for drilling, the Tanan North West prospect, five kilometres to the north east of the Malak-1 location. The new well, Tanan NW-1, will be spudded shortly.
The WEEM block lies in a prolific but geologically complex oil producing area and Malak-1 is the deepest well ever drilled in the vicinity. The results confirm the presence of hydrocarbons deeper than 3,600 metres and indicate the potential for early Tertiary and Cretaceous source rocks below 3,000 metres to be within the oil “kitchen” for the area. These provide further exploration opportunities on the WEEM block and the data obtained from Malak-1 will be invaluable for planning subsequent drilling.
Aminex has a 10% beneficial interest in the WEEM-2 concession through its shareholding in Aminex Petroleum Egypt Ltd. Aminex’s share of costs is carried by other partners through to first commercial production. Aminex has no financial exposure until commercial hydrocarbons have been established.
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