6th April 2021
This announcement contains inside information
88 Energy Limited
Operations Update
88 Energy Limited ("88 Energy" or the “Company", ASX:88E, AIM:88E, OTC:EEENF) is pleased to provide the following update related to its operations in the NPR-A region of the North Slope of Alaska.
Highlights
• Initial petrophysical interpretation indicates several potential pay zones in Merlin-1 • New prospective horizon identified at Project Peregrine
• Operational issues prevent hydrocarbon samples from two most prospective zones
Details
The first run of the wireline program included a standard triple combination log with nuclear magnetic resonance (“NMR”). These tools are designed to identify potential reservoir and resistivity (elevated resistivity is an indication of hydrocarbon saturation) as well as provide an estimate of the mobility of the fluid present. Multiple prospective zones were identified, consistent with the shows and logs obtained whilst drilling, and the NMR tool indicated good mobility across most of these zones.
The second run of the program was designed to take samples across these zones. Initial observations indicated the presence of an oil signature in the fluid using an optical fingerprint sensor in the downhole sampling tool, after communication was established with the reservoir in the deepest zone of interest. Slugging of hydrocarbon and water then occurred, which is often a precursor to hydrocarbon flow from the reservoir, however; a power outage due to equipment failure necessitated pulling out of the hole for repairs prior to any sample being obtained. After repairs were completed, the run back in hole encountered several sticky sections, indicating poor hole condition so a clean out run was undertaken. Re-entry with the sampling tool was then executed to move to the lowest zone for testing but good communication was not able to be re-established with the reservoir despite observation of a similar hydrocarbon signature on the optical fingerprint sensor. The time the hole had been open and consequent potential formation damage may have contributed to this issue.
A decision was made to move to the next shallowest prospective zone, which had exhibited good oil shows and petrophysical characteristics, but wellbore condition issues prevented a test as the tool became stuck. The tool was freed but the risk of returning to that zone was deemed too high.
Not being able to sample these two most prospective zones does not preclude a discovery; however, analysis of sidewall cores and potentially further drilling may be required for confirmation.
Significantly, one of these zones is considered to be a new prospective horizon within the Nanushuk Formation that may be wholly within the Project Peregrine acreage and was not one of the pre-drill targets. The other zone is interpreted to be shared with one of the zones in the Harrier prospect, to the north of Merlin. Further work, integrating the results from logging with the seismic, is required to map / re-map the volumetric potential of these zones.
Several samples were taken in zones interpreted to be less prospective on the way out of the hole, all of which contained low saturations of hydrocarbons, which will now be sent to a laboratory for testing. The presence of hydrocarbons in these zones is considered encouraging for regional prospectivity but does not constitute a discovery due to the low saturation levels.
www. 88energy.com
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It is now too late in the season to initiate flow testing operations and the forward program will consist of plugging the well. The well may be re-entered in the future, if warranted, in order to drill a side track and conduct a flow test.
Additional information related to Merlin-1:
Merlin-1 is located in the NPR-A region of the North Slope
