Baraka Perth-based Baraka yesterday said it would be the first land-based drilling campaign in Mauritania in recent years.

The company said since the land-drilling rig ZJ50LDB was positioned and raised earlier this month, CNPCIM had received approval from an external advisor that all equipment complies with stringent health and safety in employment (HSE) and technical recommendations.

CNPCIM has also secured and transported a supply of fresh water to the site, which is required for drilling the top-hole section of Heron-1 and mixing the mud additives for the well and other cementing tasks.

“All parties are eagerly preparing the spudding of Heron-1, which represents the commencement of what we hope will be the first of many land-based drilling campaigns by the company in Mauritania,” Baraka managing director Max de Vietri said.

“We would like to commend operator CNPCIM for the level of diligence they have applied in ensuring all HSE and engineering tasks have been carried out to high industry standards paving the way for a successful drilling program on Heron-1.”

It is expected to take between 70 and 80 days to drill Heron-1 to a total planned depth of 3800m.

Heron-1 will primarily target the Cenomanian sands at a depth of 2200m. Secondary potential also exists at 3600m in the Albian-Aptian sand and limestone interval.

Following Heron-1, CNPCIM will use the rig to drill an exploration well in neighbouring Coastal Block 12, in which Baraka does not have an interest.

Interests in Heron are CNPC (65%) and Baraka (35%).