Sotto-1 Exploration Well, (PSC A), Progress and Current Status:Since the last report on 9 August 2005 the ‘Stena Tay’ rig has drilled the Sotto -1 well to 1,353m RT. Due to mechanical problems on the rig it became necessary to sidetrack the well, and at midnight on 15 August operations were preparing to drill ahead in Sotto-1 ST1 to the planned total depth.
Well Location:
The Sotto-1 well is located approximately 110km southwest of Nouakchott, the Mauritanian capital, and 42km south of the Chinguetti Field. Water depth is 320m and the planned total depth of the well is approximately 3,350m below rig datum.
Well Details:
The well is targeting canyon fill sands in a Lower Miocene interval, of approximately the same age as the Chinguetti and Tiof Oil discoveries in PSC B. This well is expected to yield valuable information about the southern part of PSC’s A and B, and if successful will extend the area of the prospective Miocene basin.
Chinguetti Development Wells
The 'West Navigator’ drillship has successfully completed operations on the Banda-2 gas disposal well, and is continuing operations on Chinguetti development wells. Hardman does not intend to provide detailed weekly reports during the course of the Chinguetti development well drilling programme but will continue to report significant matters as appropriate and in accordance with its continuous disclosure obligations.
Hardman interests in PSC A and the Chinguetti field are:
Woodside (operator):53.846% (PSC A) , 47.384%(Chinguetti Field).
Hardman: 24.3% (PSC A), 19.008%(Chinguetti Field).
BG Group:13.084% (PSC A) , 10.234%(Chinguetti Field).
Fusion/Premier : 4.615% (PSC A), 8.123%(Chinguetti Field).
ROC : 4.155% (PSC A), 3.250%(Chinguetti Field).
Groupe Projet Chinguetti:0% (PSC A), 12.000%(Chinguetti Field)
