Winx-1 Exploration Well drilling update

RNS Number : 7098S

Pantheon Resources PLC

13 March 2019

 

13 March, 2019

 

Pantheon Resources plc

 

Winx-1 Exploration Well drilling update

Pantheon Resources plc ("Pantheon" or "the Company"), the AIM-quoted oil and gas exploration company with working interests in several conventional project areas in Tyler and Polk Counties, onshore East Texas, as well as onshore North Slope of Alaska following its January 2019 acquisition of the assets of Great Bear Petroleum, advises the following update in relation to the WInx-1 well ("Winx-1") located on the Western Blocks,  North Slope of Alaska:

Highlights: Winx-1 Exploration Well, Alaska, PANR 10% working interest

·      Comprehensive wireline logging program successfully completed at Winx-1, full petrophysical analysis and review commenced

·      Provisional petrophysical analysis of the wireline logging program indicates low oil saturations in the primary Nanushuk Topset objectives; testing and fluid sampling indicates that reservoir quality and fluid mobility at this location is insufficient to warrant production testing, despite encouragement from oil shows and logging while drilling (LWD) data

·      Zones of interest in the Torok formation, secondary objectives, were identified on wireline logs, which similarly exhibited low oil saturations and did not flow hydrocarbons during the Modular Formation Dynamics Test (MDT) pressure testing and fluid sampling program

The operator, 88 Energy Limited, has advised that petrophysical interpretation of the LWD data at Winx-1 indicated elevated resistivities associated with increased mud gas ratios (C1 - C5) in the distinctive Nanushuk Topset sequence comparable with other successful neighbouring wells in the Nanushuk play fairway. Early indications were encouraging and, on this basis, a comprehensive wireline program was undertaken to further evaluate the interval of interest.

The wireline program was designed to fully evaluate and quantify the reservoir potential and associated shows in the Nanushuk Topsets. The suite comprised specialist logging tools capable of quantifying laminated pay zones, including nuclear magnetic resonance; a triaxial induction tool that measures both horizontal and vertical resistivity, FMI (formation micro imager) and an MDT program to determine pressure gradients and sample fluids from the zones of interest.

Provisional wireline results indicate low oil saturations in the Nanushuk Topsets not conducive to successfully flowing the formation, as borne out by the MDT sampling results, which did not retrieve hydrocarbon samples. Reservoir properties appear to be compromised by dispersed clay in the matrix at Winx-1. This clay is often present in other successful Nanushuk wells but in discrete laminations with decent quality, high resistivity, oil saturated sandstones in between. The dispersed clay in the Nanushuk at Winx impacts both fluid mobility and oil saturations. The clay serves to bind much of the fluid present in place so it cannot flow. It also occupies pore space within the formation, resulting in a lower relative hydrocarbon saturation. This means that, whilst oil is present in the reservoir, there is less of it and it is not mobile. Further evaluation will be undertaken post drill to fully understand the implications of the petrophysical results.

The reservoir performance in the Torok Channel Sequence was better than the Nanushuk in the Winx-1 well as evidenced by relatively faster influx of fluid during MDT sampling. On completion of the wireline logging program it is apparent that the oil saturations in the zone of interest are also low and not conducive to hydrocarbon flow. While the oil saturations are evidence of an active petroleum system and charge, further work is required to determine whether there is an effective trapping mechanism at this location.

The forward plan is to further evaluate and integrate the valuable data acquired at Winx-1 and reprocess the Nanuq 3D seismic (2004) in order to evaluate the remaining prospectivity on the Western Leases including the Nanushuk Fairway potential. Winx-1 will now be plugged and abandoned.

Jay Cheatham, CEO, said:

"The wireline logging program at Winx-1 did not confirm the operator's and our earlier optimism which was based on mudlog shows and LWD (logging while drilling). Data analysis is continuing and more evaluation is necessary to determine the next steps for the Western Blocks. While disappointing, this does not condemn the Western Blocks where Winx-1 is located. 

The Winx prospect where we have a 10% carried interest with an additional 10% back in right, is wholly independent of the other large appraisal projects and exploration prospects in the Pantheon/Great Bear portfolio. These other six projects, where Pantheon has working interest positions ranging from 75% to 90%, are all located in our core area approximately 30 - 50 miles to the east of Winx, near to the Trans Alaskan Pipeline, and have a combined P50 Technically Recoverable Resource estimated of 1.7 billion barrels of oil. Alkaid, drilled in 2015 and suspended due to regional flooding, is testing currently. Shareholders will be aware that wireline logging (and sidewall coring of the ZOI horizon) took place in the Alkaid well in 2015.  The data collected and analysed from that historical activity drove the decision to proceed with the current testing program. The Alkaid is targeting the West Sak, Ugnu and ZOI formations all of which are completely independent of the results of the Winx well.  We will of course report Alkaid results upon the conclusion of testing operations." 

-ENDS-

Further information:

Pantheon Resources plc	[phone]
Jay Cheatham, CEO
Justin Hondris, Director, Finance and Corporate Development
Arden Partners plc (Nominated Adviser and broker)	[phone]
Paul Shackleton Daniel Gee-Summons

Notes to Editors

Pantheon Resources plc is an AIM listed Oil & Gas exploration and production company with assets in East Texas and on the North Slope of Alaska, onshore USA.

The Group's stated objective is to create material value for its stakeholders through oil exploration, appraisal and development activities in high impact, highly prospective assets, in the USA; a highly established region for energy production with infrastructure, skilled personnel and low sovereign risk. All operations are onshore USA, with drilling costs an order of magnitude below that of offshore wells.

In East Texas, Pantheon holds a 50% to 75% working interest (and in present discussions to increase this to 100% working interest for non-cash consideration) in several conventional prospects in Tyler & Polk Counties, in an area of abundant regional infrastructure, and in proximity to the prized Double A Wells Field. P50 Technically Recoverable Resources are estimated at 157 million barrels of oil equivalent.

In Alaska, following its acquisition of the assets of Great Bear Petroleum in January 2019, Pantheon holds working interests ranging between 10% and 90% of prospects covered by over 1,000 square miles of 3D seismic with P50 Technically Recoverable Resources estimated at 2.1 billion barrels of oil [1.7 billion barrels of oil excluding the Alkaid prospect].

For further information on Pantheon Resources plc, see the website at: www.pantheonresources.com

The information contained within this RNS is considered to be inside information prior to its release. Neither the contents of the Company's website nor the contents of any website accessible from hyperlinks on the Company's website (or any other website) is incorporated into, or forms part of, this announcement.

In accordance with the AIM Rules - Note for Mining and Oil & Gas Companies - June 2009, the information contained in this announcement has been reviewed and signed off by Jay Cheatham, a qualified Chemical & Petroleum Engineer, who has over 40 years' relevant experience within the sector.

Cautionary Statement: The estimated quantities of petroleum that may be potentially recovered by the application of a future development project relate to undiscovered accumulations. These estimates have both an associated risk of discovery and a risk of development. Further exploration, appraisal and evaluation are required to determine the existence of a significant quantity of potentially movable hydrocarbons.

 

END

 

 

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