Empyrean Energy Plc (LON:EME) shares dropped around 15% on Monday after an operations update for the Dempsey gas exploration well, where well-testing will start in two to three weeks’ time.
The update comes after drilling operations at Dempsey, in the Sacremento basin, California, have now been completed.
In a statement, Empyrean said that flow testing in the next stage of operations will determine whether the gas sands have a combination of porosity, permeability and access to volumes of reservoir rocks of sufficient quality to flow gas at commercial rates for an extended period.
READ: Empyrean Energy hits main target in Dempsey well, more ‘significant’ gas shows
Empyrean explained that testing will take place once a more cost effective workover rig has been moved to the Dempsey well location. It added that the testing process will be carried out “in a sequential way” starting with the lowest gas zone.
Tom Kelly, Empyrean chief executive, said: "With multiple interpreted potential production zones now safely behind cemented casing, we now embark on an exciting flow testing program.
“A completion rig is being used for the flow testing operation and rig changeover is underway.
“This is a positive achievement for the JV in what we all hope will be a well that provides early cash flow from the project from what is potentially high impact frontier exploration. We look forward to providing updates as testing progresses."
Empyrean shares were down 3.3p or 15.9% changing hands at 17.45p.