EB1 site

[Doctor Empirical]

These were taken last Friday, oil pipes are rented so why are they still  there?  and a porta loo. IMO they will restart  sometime soon otherwise the pipes would of been taken back.

[Debug]

Very Nice Doctor Empirical 

Thanks for sharing.  Shame there is not a huge rig in the middle ;)  

As you say it's clear they have not abandoned the site, no matter what some were trying to spread earlier on.  

BM had indicated that equipment and people could be re-mobilised very quickly so things can change rapidly once the new workover company are engaged.  

Also the rumours are that BM was (is) in the US this last week, so maybe things are on the move now?  Saying that I am not holding my breath for a pre-Christmas start, it would certainly be nice though.

I hope that whatever the start date agreed, even if its after Christmas, that we get an update before, at least then we don't have to stress about it over the break.

There is also the possibility of other updates I suppose relating to ADR's and the CPR, once again  a status update on progress for these would be good before Christmas.

On the ADR front,  if this week is anything to go by it seems like a few people are already working out how to buy without them.  Its interesting that they are paying ever increasing amounts and not really in line with fluctuations here.

[By The Bay]

Thanks for sharing DE, nice to see the site isn't totally abandoned and good to see the mucky oil-stained wellhead :)

[fightfear]

Both Jan and Feb can be as cold as or colder than December from what I can see so we may even have to wait till march. I wonder what it would do to the price.

BM could keep us happy with news on other fronts (ADR's, CPR or other) but knowing Brian I certainly won't be holding my breath for those.

[Debug]

FF,

I am not sure we have to worry about the time of year.  It does get cold, but not as cold as the Bakken fields in North Dakota and they drill there all year round, through snow and everything.  

Apparently they don't Frac during the winter, but drilling is not a problem at all.

On that note I found this bloody excellent FAQ for the Bakken and I urge anyone who doubts the potential commerciality to read it and follow some of the links.  

Take the time to look at some of the costings for drilling and fracking for what where (are) more complicated and expensive horizontal drills.  The returns and profit thresholds per well are also interesting as are the well spacing.

I also note that these non-naturally flowing wells have IP's (Initial Production) in the range of low hundreds up to several thousand bopd after stimulation. All are commercial and profitable though and advances in the stimulation techniques has been improving rates and the life of all the wells.

http://www.milliondollarwayblog.com/p/faq.html

[smartbeds]

thanks Doc, did you spend long at the site, anybody around

Thanks

Julia

[rockitman]

Thanks for putting in the effort for us all doc

[Rigsuper]

Debug ... all

Good morning ...

I still think ...

The weather could have an impact on this job as the crews are living in caravans and I am not sure of the facilities on the well site, living in a caravan in sub 0 temperatures is not advisable, I have done it but its not good, as soon as water freezes it can cause all sorts of problems for living and down hole.

We are also into the testing phase as you all know with this well .... not drilling, drilling gives heat to all the unit in the winter months as the mud is hot and it acts like a radiator as its being pumped around the well and surface equipment.

Another point is ... its Xmas .... whilst I know its another day in the oilfield, people will want a Xmas dinner and will be very negative if they don't get one, quite frankly I don't blame them, whether BM will organise and pay for that ? I doubt it, I also think BM will want to be at home with his family ... he is not a rig minded person .... maybe I am wrong.

Another consideration is our well control equipment ... it has to be said that to use a BOP and surface operating system that is good for sub zero temperatures is more costly, again will BM pay for it ?

I would like us to restart the operation ASAP ... TBH ... I don't think we will if the forecast is bad and with Xmas on the doorstep.

[Debug]

Hi Rigs, Fair points re the time of year and and less favorable conditions etc.  I was starting to expect a post Christmas start now anyway.  

The average day temperature is 7 deg (celsius) over Dec and Jan and rises a couple of degrees in Feb this is cold, but not super cold or harsh so I did not expect any serious delays.  Do you think this this too cold to test for this whole period?

[Rigsuper]

No thats fine for us to do the work .... even 0 degrees.

Another thought I had was due to the drive system being water .... it will ice up at surface more ... even under normal conditions when flowing a well we have to inject glycol into the system to stop the system freezing up.

[Debug]

Thanks Rigs, good information to know. 

I agree that because of the aquifer/water drive there may be a fair amount of water produced in parallel with the oil, this amount increasing during the life of the well as the oil is displaced. I suppose people should get used to this as its all part and parcel of the Nevada geology and oil production.  On the good side regarding phase 1  they now know the exact location of the oil / water contact.  This is a useful bit of information and I assume will save us a lot of time on phase 2 as further perforations will be above this minimising any production from the drive zone.   The RNS states there is approximately another 230ft of pross pay to potentially test around the 150ft Net Pay meaning that most of the water production should be just the water cut of that zone I suppose. 

Looking forward to the update to see who is going to run phase 2, would be nice if we get that before Christmas.

[dodger]

Regarding the shallower untested zones, can anybody clarify what will be happening as it would appear that this area was never part of the workover plan.  I know the thoughts re LSC being within that area  but why would it not be tested, BM was a bit vague within the Q&A?

August 13th RNS,
'After  reviewing  all available well data, the well workover plan has been finalised , including   a  formation simulation and production testing programme for depths from 5,500 to 8,400 feet.'

Further clarified in November 15th RNS
'The testing programme did not include potential zones from 3,000 to 4,500 feet.  Zones below 8,000 feet were initially tested together.'

View from the top Q&A

Why were the zones in the 3,000-4,500 feet not tested, taking into account this is the light sweet crude zone, and is the producing area's rail road valley?

The order of testing was in terms of efficiency. We simply ran out of time. That is why we have paused the operation.

I know we are all trying to second guess the BOD but i'm confused re the shallower zones and their being used as part of the programme.

[Rigsuper]

dodger .... Hmm I have a feeling that he doesn't want to talk about it ..... "Yet" ...... which could be good news ? ... maybe.

My feelings are very good for this upper section and I stress its just a feeling, like yourself Railroad valley depths keep coming to mind ... after all its only 300 miles away.

We don't know yet they might test them ... we don't know the program .... or ...

Just maybe it is part of his master plan and Eb2 we will hit the light sweet crude .... around them depths ?

[fightfear]

Why would he not want to talk about the shallower zones if he expects them to deliver (and equally if they're not likely to produce why not say it like he did about other zones - it's not like it would make much difference to "that" RNS anyway)

I also think we can get a nice surprise from those zones (maybe not necessarily from E1) but does anyone have any theories as to why BM would not want to talk about it?

On the the other hand of course it makes you wonder if that's exactly what BM wanted - making people think that there's more up there when there isn't (he didn't imply there is but lots of people assume that based on various info).

Clear as mud

[Rigsuper]

fightfear ... lol ... I just said all that.

[dodger]

The point that i was trying to make is that those shallower zones, up to 5500feet, were never part of the workover programme and not factored in at all..

[Debug]

I am undecided about those zones with regard to the expectations relative to the lower ones.   

They don't seem in a rush to get to them so that would make you think they are not expected to match the lower targets. However there really is not is not enough information to make a solid judgment and I do think if they were included in the original figures then the logging must have indicated they have viable potential.  Because they have not been tested in phase 1 then this situation would not have changed so I think there is still good reason not to write them off

It could be that the company are confident enough about the lower zones delivering after phase 2 that we are better off focusing on those zones.  The money and logistics situation makes this a good route to take if we are going for a quick switch to production and revenue generation.  That would then leave us in a much more comfortable position for funding a very comprehensive drill on EB2/3  where all the lower and upper zones could be fully explored.

[Boddi]

I agree Debug, makes you wonder why they have not been tested yet. Information surrounding the zones also was not clear and informative enough either. However hopefully we will know more once the work over shall commence......we need the new contractor signed or verified, the new cpr is also underway....I believe the apd for e2 is already approved....but finish e1 before that starts.....my original thoughts months ago were that I am here for elbana 2 ....it's size and quality.....to think that you could have another bite of the cherry at 40p upwards a few weeks back....I was not keen on the last rns, but the more you read it, and bm's update on the Friday changed a lot of minds.....circa 1 quid now but dibs and drabs changing hands....only because of no news the sp drifts a little....elbana 1 should deliver pretty well, but elbana 2 is the biggie.....all imo,,,,,

[Mosa]

Is this the same Boddi who posted on iii and seemed to get a kick out of gloating?

Interesting, I was about to post but not sure right now.......

[Rigsuper]

Mosa .... I think it is as on his 1st post he referred to me ?

Not so sure I am happy about it .... he has text me and tried to call me ... the bloke is a pain.

If .... its the same guy ???

[Debug]

Hmm, OK I remember this now.

OK, Boddi 

I realise that you were a calmer poster on HQ (as I recall), however things on iii where very far from savory.    

I have not removed your account, however for the sake of peace and tranquility I have moved it to moderated account for the moment.  Providing posts are non offensive and not personally confrontational there should be no problems and they will be cleared.  

I absolutely do not want this board to disintegrate in to the sort of place iii became and there is absolutely no place for personal attacks and playing on other peoples misfortune.  I will review the situation as necessary.

Debug

[surfacetoair]

Boddi are you invested? i thought you sold out.

[doggsnads]

yo peeps......im back!!!

I was more bored than a gorilla without any ticks, as i can only access thru pc at the mo and work stopped that ability.

I wont give my usual drivel but hope you are all keeping well, even if most do not post. RNSALERT still on!!!

 

Doggzy