Gulf Keystone has commenced the Company's drilling campaign to explore deeper, yet untested horizons of the world class discovery at the Shaikan field, which the Company operates.

Shaikan-7 to target significant exploration upside

Shaikan-7, the first deep exploration well on the Shaikan block, is targeting the mid to lower Triassic and, potentially, Permian horizons, spudded late on Sunday 16 June 2013. The well is being drilled with the Weatherford Rig 319 (3000HP) close to the crest of the Shaikan structure, approximately 1 km east of the Shaikan-1 discovery well.

Shaikan-7 is being drilled to the lower Triassic to evaluate the potential for significant quantities of light oil and identify commerciality of the deeper Triassic reservoir. The well is then expected to penetrate the Permian, the deepest undrilled horizon to date on the Shaikan structure.

Tags: Gulf Keystone Petroleum