Melbana Energy Limited has provided this update on its drilling operations at its Alameda-1
exploration well in its Block 9 contract area onshore Cuba.
After running the 9-5/8” casing and cementing it in place at the
base of the upper sheet limestones, the 8-1/2” hole section
was commenced and has drilled through a thick interval of
Vega Alta Formation, dominated by claystone, serpentinite
and limestone to a current depth of 2,971 mMD. This unit is
interpreted to be the main top seal for potential hydrocarbons
trapped in the limestone reservoir section below it. It is
correlated to a similar unit in the adjacent Marti-5 well, below
which significant oil shows and hydrocarbon recoveries were
reported. The unit is prognosed to be the top seal for each of
the primary targets in Alameda-1 where it is expected to be
repeated by thrust faults.
A managed pressure system has been tested and installed at
the wellsite to enable close management of downhole
pressures while drilling the main targets and will facilitate the
use of lighter mudweights through the prospective reservoir
sections.
Melbana Energy’s Executive Chairman, Andrew Purcell, commented: “We are currently drilling
ahead towards the prognosed N Sheet reservoir (~3000 mMD) and are encouraged by the oil shows,
in the form of fluorescence, that we are encountering. Their significance will be clarified once more of
the (possibly N reservoir) limestones are drilled and evaluated to determine if moveable oil is present”.
