Sydney-based Bligh Oil and Minerals today said that its subsidiary Marabella Enterprises, the operator of PEP 38716, had suspended operations on the Kapuni zone, while an acid wash had been done on the higher Murihiku formation.
Swabbing of the Murihiku, to encourage hydrocarbon flow, had so far recovered spent acid, nitrogen and carbon dioxide residues, as well as mud filtrate and small quantities of natural gas.
Swabbing would continue until the well had cleaned up so production testing of the Murihiku could commence later this week.
Minor partner Indo-Pacific Energy has said artificial lift methods, including the installation of jet pumps, could be used on both formations once preliminary natural flow testing has been completed.
Major losses, of over 580,000 barrels, were experienced during the drilling of the Huinga-1B well, much of that into the Murihiku formation, which also yielded significant quantities of crude oil into the drilling mud.
