“Attempts to recover a drill bit and two joints of drill pipe stuck in the Coal View Unit 31-4 well have been discontinued,” Comet Ridge said today.

“The bit became stuck after material from one specific interval in the well bore fell in on top of the bit.”

The company said numerous attempts to wash down and latch onto the “fish” have failed and the joint venture now plans to re-enter the well bore later in the year to redrill the section.

“There is 7-inch casing set at 4784 feet so only the last 2000ft needs to be re-drilled,” it said.

“This represents approximately three to four days of drilling.”

Meanwhile, at nearby Bear River, the Diamondback Energy rig is expected to move on to the Peltier 11-12 well location by Thursday.

The completion will entail running an electric submersible pump to total depth before installing temporary power and production facilities.

Testing of the well will then begin immediately. After the well is completed, all earning requirements on the Bear River prospect will be finished, Comet said.

Once the CVU 31-4 well is completed, all earning requirements for the Tow Creek project will have been fulfilled.

Comet and Strike are funding the drilling of these two wells on a 50:50 basis.