By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Feb. 17 – Madalena Ventures Inc., Calgary, said drilling is to start shortly on three exploratory wells in Argentina’s Neuquen basin.
Drilling of Curamhuele X-1001 is to resume the week of Feb. 20. The well was temporarily suspended with intermediate casing set at 4,000 ft due to operational issues associated with drilling through the lower part of the Neuquen group formation. Projected depth is 8,900 ft to penetrate the Lower Troncoso and Avile formations.
The rig will then move to drill the Yapai X-1001 thrust play well, 5 km southwest of Curamhuele X-1001, to at least 8,600 ft to penetrate the Lower Troncoso, Avile, and Mulichinco formations.
Drilling is to start the week of Feb. 20 at the CAS X-1 well on the southern part of the Coiron Amargo block. It is to go to 11,500 ft to penetrate the Sierras Blancas primary objective and the shallower Quintuco and Vaca Muerta horizons above and the Lotena formation below.
The same rig will then drill CAN X-4 in the northern part of the block between CAN X-1 and CAN X-2. Additional capital outlays are planned to increase production and sales from the area including possible fracture stimulation treatments of the CAN X-1 and CAN X-2 wells. A separate well is planned to test the Vaca Muerta shale.
On the Cortadera block, the farmee is to carry Madalena’s commitments including the drilling of at least one exploratory well earn a 50% working interest. The CT XP-2001 well is to target the Mulichinco, Vaca Muerta shale, and Tordillo formations in the 2011 second quarter.
Rendering from Cedar LNG.
US Government Accountability Office.
