Source: Caspian Energy
Caspian Energy Inc. (TSX:CEK) is launching a three-rig drilling campaign on leases in Kazakhstan's North Block. The company contracted a major drilling contractor for immediate mobilization of three rigs to the East Zhagabulak and Sakramabas sections of the North Block during June.
"This ends an extended period of enforced inactivity on our leases in Kazakhstan," said William Ramsay, Chairman and CEO of Caspian and Chairman of Aral. Ramsay said Aral had been idled for more than 30 months awaiting the selection of a new partner to participate in North Block exploration. With a new partner in place, as of Caspian's Nov. 5, 2010 announcement, they are now in a position to proceed.
The first rig will be dispatched within two to three days to the proven and producing East Zhagabulak field to conduct a workover on existing well EZ #213, install a new pump and reinstate production.
The second and third rigs will move within a week's time to drill top priority exploration wells in East Zhagabulak and Sakramabas. One of those rigs will drill a new well at EZ #306, a site within several hundred metres of established producing wells and on the same trend line. The other rig will drill Sakramabas #307, a site in the northwest section of Greater Zhagabulak, a portion of the North Block where newly obtained seismic data indicate the potential existence of a high-porosity carbonate reef structure.
"This prospect has shot to the top of our priority list and it will be tested by a new well immediately," Ramsay said. "Neighbours have drilled successful wells on surrounding leases and our new data give us confidence that our Sakramabas #307 location offers very serious potential."
"We're drilling two distinct and separate exploration plays, one in Sakramabas and one in East Zhagabulak, thereby defraying risk and enhancing the potential for a successful discovery," Ramsay said. "We're also conducting a workover project that we expect will improve existing East Zhagabulak production by a very significant margin."
As the operating entity in Kazakhstan, Aral holds a 25-year production contract with the Republic of Kazakhstan for East Zhagabulak. Aral also holds a three-year exploration agreement for the wider North Block region, an area of some 1,549 square kilometres. An agreement to be executed in coming days will see Caspian reduce its ownership in Aral to 40 per cent, while its new partner acquires 60 per cent of Aral.
