Aminex PLC reports the spudding of the Sunny Ernst-2 well (SE-2) on its Alta Loma permit in Galveston County, Texas.

The Nabors-2 rig, owned by the Nabors Drilling USA Inc., has been mobilised and has now commenced drilling a deep exploration well at Alta-Loma.

This well will test deep gas prospects with key objectives in the proven "S" sand, the Upper and Lower Andrau sands and the Tacquard sand with a target depth of 15,200 feet (approximately 4,630 metres). Drilling is anticipated to take 60 days.

Aminex already produces gas from a different prospect in the adjoining Sunny-Ernst-1 well. The Company has a 37.5% working interest in SE-2 and partners are: El Paso Corporation, Activa Resources (25%) and McFuel Corporation (12.5%). The well is operated by Coronado Energy E & P, a subsidiary of El Paso Corporation.

Aminex chairman Brian Hall said, "This is the first major new exploration well we have drilled in the USA for some time and is part of the busy exploration programme for which Aminex raised new funds in 2007".

Tags: Aminex PLC