Syria

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Apr. 22 – Gulfsands Petroleum PLC plans to drill two more exploratory wells in Syria in 2010 after failing to recover hydrocarbons to surface at its Hanoon-1 well on Block 26 about 8 km north of Khurbet East field.

Hanoon-1 targeted the Cretaceous Shiranish and Massive formations, the latter of which produces in the field. Lengthy tests recovered 24 m of core intermittently coated with viscous oil. No hydrocarbons were recovered on an open-hole test.

Larger of the two remaining 2010 exploratory prospects is South Souedieh, to be drilled in the fourth quarter.

Gulfsands has a 50% interest in Block 26, whose operator is Emerald Energy PLC, a subsidiary of Sinochem Resources UK Ltd.