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Melbana Energy identifies previously producing shallow water target at Pukatea well

Published: 09:00 08 Jan 2018 AEDT

Picture of oil rig
Mt Messenger provides a low-cost option at Pukatea-1 deepwater project

Melbana Energy Ltd (ASX:MAY) has received encouraging information regarding the Pukatea-1 exploration well located in New Zealand, in which it has a 30% interest.

The company’s joint venture partner is TAG Oil Ltd (TSE:TAO).

The primary objective of the January drilling campaign is to identify deepwater hydrocarbons in the Tikorangi limestone.

However, a technical reassessment of the Pukatea-1 project has identified a secondary objective in the shallower Mt Messenger sands within the Puka field.

Oil first discovered at Mt Messenger in 2012

Oil was first discovered in the Mt Messenger sands in 2012 in Puka-1.

Production from Puka-1 and Puka-2 progressed under an extended test period until January 2015, but these wells are currently shut-in.

The operators have made technical adjustments to the drilling plan which include an additional wireline logging run for data gathering.

A separate casing string will also be used to isolate the Mt Messenger formation, providing the option to review the commercial merits of the sands based on the strength of technical data.

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