UK Oil & Gas plc (UKOG) suspended testing to await more powerful 7-inch perforating guns to penetrate the 9⅝-inch casing and cement of the Pinarova-1 exploration well in Turkey.
EQUIPMENT
The decision follows analysis of downhole pressure gauge data from testing which indicated that the 4.5-inch perforating guns used were unable to establish direct contact with the formation through the casing and cement.
Tests have yet to assess the potential of the zones associated with the 12 hours of strong crude oil odour and oil at surface reported near the start of the month.
UKOG said that 50-50 joint venture partner and operator Aladdin Middle East Ltd (AME) had previously advised that the 4.5-inch perforating guns were the largest available in-country.
AME is now working with the sole licensed perforating gun provider in southeast Turkey to source the required equipment.
PINAROVA-1
Pinarova-1, located 6km north of the Basur-1 oil discovery, was designed to test whether the active 41.7˚ API light oil seep found above the Pinarova structure, is directly fed by and connected to an underlying light oil accumulation lying within the Germik and/or Hoya limestones.