Australia: Eni Waiting on Weather Before Making Decision on Gawain-1 Well

Octanex N.L| has been advised by Eni Australia Limited, the Operator of the Gawain-1 well located in the outer Exmouth Plateau permit, WA-362-P, that at 06:00 hours WST (Western Standard Time) on Monday, 28 March 2011, the well was at a depth of 3,653m MDRT (measured depth below rotary table) and waiting on weather.

Since the last progress report of 21 March 2011, the 9%” liner has been run to the current depth and cemented in. The  necessary well and Blow-out-Preventer pressure tests were then completed and the well has been prepared to drill  ahead in the 8/4″ hole.

The Operator has advised that a developing weather system is currently being monitored before a decision is made to  drill ahead or move off location. The well programme is to drill the 81/2″ hole to the total depth of 4,025m MDRT. The  next target for the well is a seismic amplitude anomaly within mapped closure at 3,832m MDRT. A positive outcome at  the 3,832m MDRT target may lead to deepening the well.

The Gawain-1 well is being drilled by the Saipem 10000 drillship and is the first well in a two well programme. It will be  immediately followed by the Galahad-1 well in WA-363-P.

The participants in the WA-362-P and WA-363-P Joint  Ventures are :

Eni Australia Limited    40%
OMV Australia Pty Ltd  40%
Octanex Group  20%

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Source: OXX,  March 29, 2011;