RAK Petroleum says Oman test well pressured

Dubai: RAK Petroleum Oman Limited, the wholly-owned subsidiary of RAK Petroleum, said on Friday an unexpected flow of liquid and gas in an exploration well it is drilling in Oman has complicated rig operations.

The company said the source of the formation fluids, which flowed to surface, is uncertain.

The incident happened early last month at the Al Jariya-1 well, located on the Jebel Hafit prospect in Block 31, adjacent to the border with Abu Dhabi.

RAK Petroleum is the operator of Block 31 holding 50 per cent, in partnership with Indago Petroleum Limited, which holds the other 50 per cent.

Chief executive Peter Sadler said the Ras Al Khaimah company is working with Oman's Ministry of Oil and Gas and Indago to assess its options, which include executing a sidetrack.

"Despite some serious complications in early February, which we believe resulted in an underground blowout, we are confident that we have not compromised the main target, Shuaiba reserves, and that the Natih reserves also remain prospective," Sadler said.

While drilling at a depth of 5,131 metres, the company said it encountered a zone of high pressure and the well took an influx of water and gas.

"The resulting high pressures experienced at surface, and the hole condition at the bottom of the well, have severely complicated rig operations," the company said in a statement.