The Perth-based company today said in the past week, the drilling contractor’s technical/engineering team had positioned land-drilling rig ZJ50LDB, carried out all preparatory tasks and raised the mast.

Baraka said operator CNPC International Mauritania, a subsidiary of Chinese major CNPC, had finished rig-up and is now undertaking all necessary rig inspections required before drilling can begin.

But CNPCIM has told Baraka that preparatory work has delayed the spud date for “a number of days” and a revised spud date will be announced once the works are finished.

“The drilling at Heron-1, the first land-based drilling campaign in the country in recent years, is a momentous occasion for Baraka and CNPCIM and will be a key milestone in the further development of the oil and gas industry in Mauritania,” chief executive and managing director Max de Vietri said.

“Everyone involved in the drilling of Heron-1 is aware of the complex nature of this campaign, particularly as material supply and support infrastructure is still being developed in Mauritania.

“For this reason we support the operator’s cautious approach in ensuring all necessary tasks are completed before confirming a spud date.”

It is expected to take 73 days to drill Heron-1, located in onshore Mauritanian Coastal Block 20, to a total planned depth of 3800m.

Heron-1 will primarily target the Cenomanian sands at a depth of 2200m, while secondary potential also exists at 3600m in the Albian-Aptian sand and limestone interval.

Following Heron-1, CNPC International Mauritania will use the rig to drill an exploration well in neighbouring coastal Block 12, in which Baraka does not have an interest.

Interests in Heron are CNPC (65%) and Baraka (35%).