Zephyr Energy PLC (LON:ZPHR) has signed a drilling contract with Cyclone Drilling Inc to drill the State 16-2LN-CC appraisal well in the Paradox Basin, Utah.
This follows a competitive selection process involving extensive technical and commercial evaluation of multiple potential drilling contractors. Earlier this year, Cyclone completed the State 16-2 stratigraphic test well for Zephyr and its project partners earlier this year.
The Cyclone Rig #34 will again be the unit used for the drilling programme - the same rig that successfully and safely drilled the State 16-2 well to a total depth of 9,745 feet in less than 19 days last winter, a record performance versus historical drilling efforts in the northern part of the Paradox Basin.
Rig #34 is fully capable of drilling to the planned depths and pressures that are expected at the State 16-2LN-CC well.
"We welcome the opportunity to resume our partnership with Cyclone as we prepare to drill the State 16-2LN-CC well,” said Colin Harrington, Zephyr's chief executive.
“In addition to our positive experience working alongside their team earlier this year, Cyclone has a long history of drilling safe and successful wells in the Rocky Mountain region. I am confident in their ability to help us deliver this well in a safe, efficient and responsible manner. Cyclone Rig #34 has remained active in recent months, is well known to our drilling team, is available on Zephyr's timeline and is currently located in Utah, providing savings on mobilisation and demobilisation costs.”
With the well now fully permitted and the rig contract signed operation activity on the ground is due to start in July, as planned.