The drill stem is currently stuck in the well at a depth of 13,753ft (4,193m), 32ft off bottom (13,785ft), Geodynamics said today.

Drill site activities are currently focused on freeing-up the drill.

Geodynamics said if it failed to dislodge the drill stem, other options were available.

The bottom of the well is now in 130m of the top of the bottom fracture zone, the target of the Habanero-2 well intervention.

Once this has been intersected, it is expected that the overpressures known to exist in this zone, will greatly facilitate keeping the well clean from drill cuttings and well break-out, thereby alleviating many of the drilling problems encountered to date, the company said.

The snubbing unit and associated facilities are designed to operate with these overpressures present in the well.

Managing director Bertus de Graaf said drilling difficulties encountered in this well intervention program have yielded highly valuable experience and understanding for future application in the development of the known geothermal resource in the Cooper Basin.

“Drilling problems are not uncommon in the resource industry when developing projects in a new geological province,” he said.

“Evidence shows that this is achieved by adapting drilling techniques to local geological conditions. The scope of the known potential of the geothermal resource in the Cooper Basin fully justifies the time and funds required to complete this well intervention program.”