UK Oil & Gas plc (UKOG) said it had marked a milestone with the start of air drilling at the Basur-3 appraisal oil well in the 305 km² Resan licence, Turkey.
On 26 June, operations began on the initial 17.5 inch diameter hole section, following which a 13⅝ inch casing is expected to be set.
The company anticipates that the well will switch to a water-based mud system for the 12¼ inch section and the remainder of the well.
UKOG Turkey Ltd holds a 50% interest in Basur-3 and the surrounding 305 km² Resan M47-b1,b2 licence with the remainder held by joint venture partner Aladdin Middle East.
The Basur-3 appraisal well is the first modern well designed to appraise and assess properly the extent and commercial viability of the Basur-Resan oil pool discovered during the 1950s-1960s.