Miller Energy Resources reported it tested water free oil production from the company's CPP-H-1 well Jan. 12. The CPP-H-1 well is the first successful horizontal well drilled and completed in the Mississippian Age Fort Payne formation in North America.

The well tested at a restricted rate of 487 BOE per day on a ¾" choke. The rate was restricted in order to conserve as much reservoir energy as possible. A breakdown of the initial production test consists of 365 barrels of oil per day, 730 MCFGPD, and 0 BWPD. The company plans to begin producing the well as soon as Miller Energy Receives EPA permission to begin reinjecting the produced gas in order to maintain reservoir pressure. The Fort Payne reservoirs are solution gas drive reservoirs, and management feels that it is critical to maintain reservoir pressure in order to maximize oil production.

Based on the initial flow tests, the company expects this will be a very strong and commercially successful well. Although this well represents an unprecedented achievement, based on what is known about the formation, the geology and the initial reservoir pressure, Miller expects that the well will produce in the range of 200 to 225 barrels of oil equivalent per day once reinjection has started and full production has begun. The company plans to provide regular updates to the public as more results come in on this well.

Tags: Miller Energy Resources