There's another article I found on tamtamguinee that clarifies what happened on the 2nd and on the 5th. That first article you posted states the drilling started on the 5th, and then later says the 2nd. The 5th actually appears to have been a technical presentation to the presidential cabinet.
Hyperdynamics Corporation launched on October 2 its first exploration drilling. It was on the high seas 133 km from the coast and 710 meters deep. The Prime Minister who officiated the said ceremony.
But this is Wednesday, October 5 that the technical presentation of the project was made in Conakry, in the presence of several members of the presidential cabinet, and ministers. Which naturally, the Minister of Mines, Mohamed Lamine Fofana.
For the first time, a first well to be drilled and which carries the name of''highly symbolic''Sabou (meaning in the national language of Guinea''by''). The work will last 60 days and will cost $ 60 million. Then a week later, the second called''Baraka''(blessings) will be launched soon. It will last and will cost as much as the first, as the technical director of Hyperdynamics Corporation, Thierno Keita. 120 days is whether the black gold will flow off Guinea.
Present at the ceremony of presentation of technical data, the minister of mines, as are several Guinean expressed the wish to see these holes lead to the discovery of oil. This will solve the country's energy deficit, and give a boost to the country's industrialization. He spoke as follows: "Since October 2, I'm nervous. I can not imagine the well is dry." He asked the people of Guinea to pray that this drilling will lead to a conclusive result.
Meanwhile, the people of Guinea held its breath.
To recap, the first drilling was conducted without success in 1977.
I have always figured the drilling process started on the 2nd. At over a quarter million dollars a day for the drill ship, the 2 supply vessels and all the crew involved, it would make no sense to me if they didn't.
If I understand correctly, it typically takes about 10 days for the bop to be installed and tested. THen it should take about 20 days to actually drill to depth, followed by 15 days for wire logs, etc.
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