OIL Search, Voyager Energy and their partners in the Al Akhaf-1 exploration well in Block 35, onshore Yemen, are preparing to evaluate hydrocarbon shows to assess if there is any commercial significance.
Voyager Energy managing director John Begg said several zones with shows of hydrocarbons have been recorded while drilling.
“Comparisons with offset well information suggest these shows although not strong, may be of commercial interest and should be fully evaluated,” he said.
"It seems that each time we have encountered indications of porosity and permeability beneath the main, predicted seal units then hydrocarbon shows have been present. We are encouraged by this but it is difficult to know at this stage whether the shows have any commercial significance. It is likely to take up to 2 weeks for us to find out."
Some fine-grained sands at about 1,680 metres were described as having 100% dull yellow to yellow gold fluorescence and may represent migration of hydrocarbons through the first permeable layer beneath the upper, regional seal unit.
Additionally, after penetrating a lower seal unit into the Saar Carbonate (a secondary objective) a number of dolomitised zones interbedded with the mainly limestone section between 2,008 metres and 2,190 metres have been drilled with elevated, wet gas shows.
The gas readings in these zones were increased by up to 10 times background levels with a peak of some 47 units at 2,142 metres.
Interests in Block 35 are Oil Search (Yemen) operator 31%, Sipetrol International SA 30%, Saba Yemen Oil Company Ltd 19%, Voyager Energy 15% and the Yemen Company 5% (carried).