Confusion on Pressure Clarified
There are two depths in MJ#1 where the pressure is relevant to the discussion on evidence of a commercial find. You have to be clear which depth is being discussed or confusion will result.
1. Pressure at the bottom stated to be 7,500 psi by ZN. This is in the normal range for a well 16,600 feet deep. It's possible for a well to have less pressure than normal, or more pressure than normal at any depth including TD, depending on how the geology was formed. Having normal pressure means oil will free-flow to the surface. No pumping is required. The reason is that gas will be present at some % in the wellbore so the wellbore fluid will have less than 7,500 psi at the bottom. This is not the high pressure situation in MJ#1, but is a good sign and does confirm pumping is not necessary.
2. Pressure at 3343 meters just after penetrating shale (cap rock) for a zone of interest and going back into the zone's fractured carbonate (reservoir). The pressure just under the cap rock can be considerably higher than the hydrostatic pressure and this is a great sign that the trap has integrity and the migration path from the source rock is good. It was observed high pressure at this depth that caused a 42 day delay in Nov 2017 to upgrade well control equipment, including BOP. A number was not given for the pressure observed at this depth, but it was obviously higher than expected as the well control had to be upgraded. Also, this is the depth at which 10x heavy gas was observed, which is a sign of oil. Further, Dustin said in the shareholder meeting that beginning at this depth high pressure was what made drilling difficult, not the rock formation.
So, let's be clear. The pressure at TD is in the normal range and is high enough to flow oil to the surface. Higher than expected pressure was encountered at 3343 meters which gives testimony to the petro system being at least as good as anticipated, but more likely even better than anticipated.
High Pressure = 3343 meters just under the cap rock
Normal Pressure = TD at 5050 meters, which is 7,500 psi
