The first two wells in the program, located in PEP 50348 (South Waikato) on the North Island, have reached their programmed total depth. Drilling operations in OM-4 located in PEP 38220 (Ohai), the first well in the South Island 3P reserves upgrade program, will recommence upon completion of the mobilization of the core rig to the site.
Mangapehi-2 was drilled to assess the coal seam gas potential of the Waikato coal measures within an unexplored part of the Mangapehi coalfield, located in the southeast of the permit. The Mangapehi coalfield contains the highest rank coal within the Southern Waikato coal region typically in one seam up to 10m thick.
This well reached total depth of 604mt after intersecting the target Waikato coal measures. Approximately 3mt of coal was cored with further laboratory analysis being carried out to determine gas contents and saturation levels. Arapae-1 targeted the Waikato coal measures in a previously unexplored region of the area. The well has reached its planned total depth of 261mt after intersecting the Waikato coal measures.
Well OM-4 is awaiting mobilization of the core rig from the North Island to the OM-4 site. The surface section of the well has been drilled to a depth of 589mt and protective casing installed. The well is programmed to be drilled to a total depth of approximately 1,100mt, targeting the deep, Cretaceous age, Morley coals in the western portion of the permit. The well is being drilled as part of the company’s 3P reserves upgrade program for the area.
Immediately following OM-4, the company will embark on the remaining drilling programme with the drilling of Te Kuiti-1 in PEP 50348 (South Waikato) and the Heao-1 and Maclure-1 wells in the adjoining PEP 51244 (Ohura River). The six well program is expected to be completed by end March 2010.
