actually drilling horizontally is the more modern way of doing it, its just a little more work, but with horizontal drilling the unique thing is that it can pick up oil several kilometers away further than vertical, im not sure this is what they are doing but if it is it is good news. also for them to not horizontally drill in the first place, makes me understand that they are even that more confident in what is down there. mjc1, correct me if im wrong. thomas