The testing of the Jebel Aswad 2 well (JAS-2) on Block 15 onshore Oman has been suspended. The well was completed on August 18, 2008 after drilling some 4,018 metres, including a near kilometre long horizontal section. Hydrocarbon shows and Logging While Drilling (LWD) indications were good throughout the entire horizontal section. After completing the well and releasing the drilling rig, stimulating and testing of JAS-2 commenced on 5 September, 2008.

Initial results from the well tests suggest that a water producing fault has been crossed at 3,953 metres, very close to the end of the well. Three attempts to seal this fault with tubing packers proved unsuccessful. No free hydrocarbons were produced during the test. The return of a drilling rig will be required to re-complete the well and successfully seal off the water producing fault.

"Naturally, we are not satisfied that we were unable to complete the flow test of JAS-2 at this time. Water encroachment from the fault at the end of the well prevented sufficient reservoir drawdown to allow hydrocarbon influx. We must source a drilling rig to work the well over before we can test and hopefully place this well on production. The suspension of JAS-2 will therefore delay the development of the Jebel Aswad field. On a more positive note, the initial reports from the ongoing 3D seismic survey over Jebel Aswad suggest that the raw data is very good, and we have now com pleted just over half the acquisition", comments Tethys' Managing Director Magnus Nordin.

Tethys has a 40 per cent interest and is operator of Block 15. Danish company Odin Energi A/S holds the remaining 60 per cent interest.