Kea Petroleum says that the Puka-3 appraisal well was drilling ahead at a depth of 839m, at 6:00am New Zealand time on 31 July 2014, following casing at 379m depth. The well is being drilled to a True Vertical Depth of 1,580m (2,280 mMDRT) and is targeting a structure identified by the recent 50 square kilometres of 3D seismic shot by the Company, and confirmed by reprocessing the data by Kea's joint venture partner, MEO.

Puka-1 and Puka-2 were drilled on the basis of 2D seismic data only and now appear to have been drilled on the edge of the Puka field whereas Puka-3 is being diverted approximately 1,475m to the North to target a thicker sand development with a view to increasing accessible net pay from the well. Total depth is expected to be achieved around mid-August.

Tags: Kea Petroleum