Second Rig to Join Antelope Appraisal

[Stavros]

SINGAPORE and PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea, Oct. 19, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

InterOil Corporation (IOC) has assigned one of its drilling rigs to the Elk-Antelope appraisal program in Papua New Guinea.

The PRL 15 Joint Venture, which is operated by Total, will use a rig that InterOil has under contract with High Arctic Energy Services to drill the Antelope-6 appraisal well later this year.

InterOil Chief Executive Dr Michael Hession said the move reflected the joint venture's priority to complete field appraisal.

"Appraisal is a key step for the Papua LNG Project, InterOil's most important and immediate focus in our commitment to Papua New Guinea," Dr Hession said.

Dr Hession also said InterOil has decided to defer its discretionary drilling program, including appraisal of the Raptor discovery, until the Elk-Antelope appraisal program was complete.

He said the company also continued to streamline its operations and reduce costs after handing operatorship of PRL 15 to Total in July this year.

Drilling update

The top of the reservoir had been encountered in the Antelope-4 ST-1 well at 1,875 meters (6,152 feet true vertical depth sub-sea), which was 36 meters (118 feet) higher than the original Antelope-4 penetration.

Casing has been set above the reservoir and cement bond logs recorded. Prior to drilling ahead additional cementing operations are being conducted to ensure integrity of the casing shoe.

[Putncalls]

Not much progress at A4S

[johnwgrant]

Does this imply that the cement bond logs showed a problem? IE, bad cement job?

[petrengr1]

Does this imply that the cement bond logs showed a problem? IE, bad cement job?

Yes.

[AU74]

The upshot appears to be that Total is no more immune to real-world issues than IOC.

[trans]

The upshot appears to be that Total is no more immune to real-world issues than IOC.

My udnerstanding is that A4 st is IOC..... and A6 is TOT

Makes sense that there is a delay by IOC A4 st and A6 will get IOC leased rig ?

[petrengr1]

I think IOC is still in charge of drilling Antelope 4 ST-1. Total is to take over drilling on Antelope-6.

Here is a look at the drilling time line for Antelope 4 ST-1:

August 31, 2015
InterOil Corporation (NYSE:IOC) (POMSoX:IOC) advises that the PRL-15 Joint Venture has started drilling a side-track well at the Antelope-4 site, as part of its appraisal campaign on the Elk–Antelope gas field in Papua New Guinea. The Antelope-4 appraisal had been suspended in May 2015 at a true vertical depth sub-sea of 2,056m (6,745 feet), approximately 158m above the field gas water contact. Well operations, which resumed on August 13, 2015, included the on-site preparation and testing of well-head equipment. Subsequently the Operator, Total E&P PNG Limited obtained approval from the PNG Department of Energy to re-enter the well. The side-track was initiated at a measured depth of 862 meters (2,828 feet)# . As at 1530 hours (PNG time) the side-track well was drilling ahead at a depth of 895 meters (2,936 feet)# . # Measured depth below rotary table



Sept. 18, 2015
Antelope-4 side track The Antelope-4 side track appraisal well in Petroleum Retention License 15 has intersected the reservoir 36 meters (118 feet) higher than the original Antelope-4 penetration. The well is being prepared for casing before drilling through the reservoir.

Oct. 19, 2015
Drilling update The top of the reservoir had been encountered in the Antelope-4 ST-1 well at 1,875 meters (6,152 feet true vertical depth sub-sea), which was 36 meters (118 feet) higher than the original Antelope- 4 penetration. Casing has been set above the reservoir and cement bond logs recorded. Prior to drilling ahead additional cementing operations are being conducted to ensure integrity of the casing shoe.

So in the last month they have run and cemented the liner.

[AU74]

I stand corrected, but does the buck not stop with the operator of the field?

[Putncalls]

Kirk should be gone. This is corruption.

[sageo]

Kirk should be gone. This is corruption.

Putn' - After living for many ,many "moons",I have discovered that "corruption creep" is everywhere and in everything . Sad fact of life.