Comet Ridge today said the Diamondback Energy workover rig was still attempting to recover part of the drill string at the Coal View Unit-31-4 well, in the Rockies region of Colorado that is stuck in the hole at 5300 feet (1615.4m).

Temperatures have been measured in the region at -37C.

“The ‘fish’ is sitting above the first reservoir interval,” Comet Ridge said.

“Oil continues to be observed in the circulating mud stream and significant gas pressures are being observed at the well head at the start-up of daily operations.

“The planned operation is to persevere with attempts to recover the fish through the coming weekend.”

Comet said should the fishing attempts prove unsuccessful, the well will be temporarily suspended until a drilling rig can be brought in to complete the fishing job or to sidetrack the well.

Meanwhile, at nearby Bear River, the Peltier 11-12 well reached a total depth of 6700ft on January 31 and logging of the hole is complete, it said. The operation is now rigging up to run perforated liner.

“Preliminary interpretation of the drilling parameters, geological samples and the wireline logs is that the all three reservoir targets, the first, second and third ‘benches’ of the Niobrara Formation are fractured,” Comet said.

“Oil and gas shows, including an incidence of free oil in the mud, were observed throughout all three objectives.”

It said the well will now be completed with the Cyclone rig, which will be released once Peltier is finished.

Drilling on the Tow Creek/Bear River project will resume in the second quarter of the year.

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