Buru Energy Ltd (ASX:BRU) is drilling ahead at the Rafael 1 exploration well onshore Canning Basin in Western Australia’s southwest Kimberley region after setting 7-inch (178mm) casing.
In an operations update, the company said the well had been circulated with increasing mud weight to control the gas influx encountered during drilling of the 8½ inch (216mm) hole.
“To ensure well bore stability is maintained in the forward section of the well below its current depth of 3,872 metres, the decision has been taken to run 7-inch (178mm) casing before drilling ahead in 6-inch (152mm) hole.”
Buru said this morning that the casing running operation was underway.
Encouraging wireline logs
Before running casing, the company obtained wireline logs over the 8½ inch open hole section of the well.
These logs indicate the presence of vugular dolomite and zones where hydrocarbons are present, most likely wet gas, consistent with the gas measured at surface from the circulated influx.
The logs and pressure data are subject to further interpretation but provide encouragement for the continued drilling program prior to flow testing the well.
READ: Buru Energy encouraged by hydrocarbon indications at Rafael 1 well in Canning Basin
Shares in the company are 10.71% higher to A$0.155 and have risen from A$0.115 at the market close on October 21.