Operator Comet said the workover rig remains on standby at the Coal View Unit-31-4 well, after extremely cold weather froze and subsequently caused problems to the rig equipment. Temperatures have been measured in the region at -37C.

However, Comet said the well bore appeared to be in a good condition down to the current depth of 5049 feet (1538m).

Having now ordered cold weather heaters and a hot oil trailer for the rig, Comet expects to restart completion operations at the well early next week.

At nearby Bear River, the company is continuing to drill the Peltier 11-12 well, which was yesterday at a depth of 1833ft, despite the cold weather.

Based on current progress, the first casing point of 3800ft is expected to be reached today. The well has a planned total depth of 6540ft.

Targeting up to 500,000 barrels of oil, Peltier 11-12 is the second of three proof-of-concept wells designed to prove up a “much larger opportunity base”, according to Comet.

Comet and Strike are funding the drilling of this well on a 50:50 basis.