Hardman Resources Ltd announced that the Zoule-1 exploration well in PSC C Block 6 is currently being plugged and abandoned after failing to encounter significant hydrocarbons. The ‘Stena Tay’ rig will move to the Dore-1 well in PSC B, Block 4. The Dore prospect is located approximately 20 kilometres east of the Tiof field, and 30 kilometres north of the Chinguetti field in water depth of approximately 390 metres. The well will be drilled to a proposed total depth of 2,350 metres and will target Oligocene aged submarine channel/turbidite sands as well as encountering the updip extension of the Tiof Miocene canyon system.
Upon completion of the Dore-1 well the ‘Stena Tay’ drilling rig will be released by the PSC A and B Joint Ventures. With the recognition of a number of attractive prospects in the shallower, eastern part of PSC A and B a rig capable of drilling in shallower water depths than the targets of the 2004 and 2005 programmes was required. The ‘Atwood Hunter’, which is capable of drilling from approximately 100 to 1,500 metres, has been contracted to conduct the PSC A and B 2006 and 2007 drilling campaigns and is due to arrive in Mauritania in the second quarter of 2006 after completing its current commitments. The initial exploration wells will be drilled in PSC A and are likely to include the Colin/Colin Deep, Kibaro and Awatt prospects. Hardman’s 2006 Mauritania exploration programme is expected also to include wells in PSCs B, 7 and 8. The ‘Atwood Hunter’ provides the joint ventures with significant operational flexibility as it is able to carry out work on any of the Chinguetti development wells, if ever required, as well as conducting appraisal on existing discoveries.
