Dana Petroleum announces that drilling and wireline logging have now been completed on the Flamant-1 exploration well in Block 8, offshore Mauritania.

Although the well discovered the prognosed extensive carbonate section, the well did not encounter commercial quantities of hydrocarbons. However, there were indications of gas whilst drilling the approximately 1,150m thick carbonate primary target.

In addition, gas bearing intervals were encountered during the drilling of a shallower section of the well, which indicates there is mature hydrocarbon source rock in this area. The extensive information acquired from the well, which includes rock samples and pressure data, will now be fully evaluated before agreeing the most appropriate forward plan for the block.

The discovery of the presence of a major carbonate sequence, together with the indications of hydrocarbons, provides encouragement to explore the significant remaining potential of Block 8, which covers a very large area of approximately 11,797 square kilometres.

Following the completion of abandonment operations on Flamant-1, the Atwood Hunter drilling rig will move to Block 7, offshore Mauritania to drill the Dana operated Aigrette well.