Hardman Resources reports that the ‘Stena Tay’ rig has drilled the Sotto-1 well in PSC A to 1,353m below the rotary table.

“Due to mechanical problems on the rig it became necessary to sidetrack the well, and at midnight on 15 August operations were preparing to drill ahead in Sotto-1 ST1 to the planned total depth,” Hardman said.

Sotto-1 well is located about 110km south-west of Nouakchott, the Mauritanian capital, and 42km south of the Chinguetti Field. Water depth is 320m and the planned total depth of the well is about 3,350m.

The well is targeting canyon fill sands in a Lower Miocene interval, of roughly the same age as the Chinguetti and Tiof Oil discoveries in PSC B. This well is expected to yield valuable information about the southern part of PSC’s A and B, and if successful will extend the area of the prospective Miocene basin, Hardman said.

Meanwhile the 'West Navigator’ drillship has successfully completed operations on the Banda-2 gas disposal well, and is continuing operations on Chinguetti development wells.

Interests in PSC A and Sotto-1 are: Woodside (operator) 53.846%, Hardman 24.3%, BG Group 13.084%, Fusion/Premier 4.615% and Roc 4.155%.

Interests in Chinguetti are Woodside (operator) 47.384%, Hardman 19.008%, ROC Oil 3.25%, BG Group 10.234%, Mauritanian government 12%, Premier Group 8.123%.