Flow testing at Central Petroleum's (ASX:CTP) Johnstone West 1 has not produced oil to surface, despite the initial evaluation results which included "excellent oil shows" and positive electric log analysis.
Central is still reviewing the results and the well been suspended for further evaluation, which the company said may include horizontal drilling in a future campaign after additional seismic requirements including 3D have been determined.
John Heugh, managing director, said, “The general geology appeared to be very similar to the producing Mereenie oil field."
“Some wells at this field did not produce much on initial flow testing due to tight reservoir quality but although the permeability in the Lower Stairway Sandstone tested was quite low, it is unclear at this stage if this is the main cause of the lack of production to surface at JW-1."
"A 3D seismic survey will assist in targeting potential fracture patterns in the Johnstone structure which might assist in the production of free flowing oil to surface in a similar fashion to the production mechanism in the Mereenie field”
In other Central news, the MB Century Rig 7 has been released and will be rigged down and shifted to spud a new wildcat well, Surprise-1 about 8km south-southeast of JW-1.
Surprise-1 is targeting up to 50 million barrels of oil UOIIP (6 MMbbls fully risked mean UOIIP).
The site works and the drilling location pad are already complete and drilling equipment has started to arrive.