ZIMBABWE WILDCAT FINDS GAS

Exploratory drilling has turned up probable coalbed methane production in Zimbabwe. Trotter Exploration of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, is drilling a second well about 1 km north of 1 Mwenje School, the country's first well drilled exclusively for gas. The 1 Mwenje School, 40 km east of Chiredzi in the lowveld area, found gas in three horizons in Permo-Triassic Karoo coal measures and fractured black shales at 300-450 m.

Nov. 4, 1991

Exploratory drilling has turned up probable coalbed methane production in Zimbabwe.

Trotter Exploration of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, is drilling a second well about 1 km north of 1 Mwenje School, the country's first well drilled exclusively for gas.

The 1 Mwenje School, 40 km east of Chiredzi in the lowveld area, found gas in three horizons in Permo-Triassic Karoo coal measures and fractured black shales at 300-450 m.

Early results of coal desorption tests show gas recovery should be on a par with economically producible coalbeds of the U.S., said Jonathan Kelafant, senior geologist with Advanced Resources International Inc., Arlington, Va.

Advanced, a spinoff company from ICF Resources Inc., is providing geologic and engineering support for the Zimbabwe project.

Flow tests are to begin early next year, with field scale development possibly involving as many as 40 wells to start later in 1992.

Possible uses for the gas include conversion to diesel fuel using Fischer-Tropsch technology and firing turbines to generate electricity for peak shaving.