Anzon plans to resume drilling in the next week to a total depth of 3100 metres, before running wireline logs and a seven-inch liner set.

Last month, Anzon had to re-drill Manta-2 following mechanical problems in the original hole. After pressure-testing the first well at a depth of 971 metres, the company discovered the casing string had mechanically parted at the crossover from the 13 3/8 to 20 inch casing at a depth of about 163 metres. The well was subsequently plugged and drilling of Manta-2A begun.

Manta-2 is expected to be completed by mid February, after which the Ocean Patriot will move to Basker to drill three additional wells as part of the full field development (FFD) plan.

Once completed, the FFD would be capable of producing up to 35,000 barrels of oil per day from all wells completed in the two fields, according to Anzon.

Elsewhere in the field, Anzon says the Basker-2 well has produced 412,645 barrels of oil, associated with gas and 1% water production in the 63 days since the extended production test started.

“The well has been on continuous production since December 8, at rates of about 6000 to 10,000 barrels per day – primarily from the upper interval, and more recently from both upper and lower intervals, via a range of controlled tests to gain knowledge of the well performance,” Anzon executive director Andrew Young said.

Last month, Basker-2 produced 175,584 barrels over 26 days – averaging 6753 barrels per day, according to Anzon.