12th Nov 2008 07:00
12 November 2008
DRAGON OIL plc
("Dragon Oil" or the "Company")
Drilling Update
Dzheitune (Lam) 22/130 and A/131 wells on production
Highlights
Following initial testing from the short and long strings, development wells Dzheitune (Lam) 22/130 and A/131 have yielded rates of 2,057 and 4,621 barrels of oil per day ('bopd') respectively.
The CIS-1 rig will now be mobilised to the Dzheitune (Lam) 28 platform where it is expected to begin drilling development well Dzheitune (Lam) 28/B by the end of 2008.
The Iran Khazar rig will move to the Dzheitune (Lam) 21 platform to commence drilling development well Dzheitune (Lam) 21/132.
Dragon Oil's own recently re-furbished Rig 40 is in the process of being mobilised to the Dzheitune (Lam) 13 platform.
Dr Abdul Jaleel Al Khalifa, Chief Executive Officer, commented:
"I am pleased to announce the successful completion and initial testing of the Dzheitune (Lam) 22/130 and A/131 development wells. Dragon Oil has now achieved its 2008 target to drill and complete eight wells and we are currently in line to reach our goal of an average daily production rate of 40,000 bopd for the year."
Drilling Details
The Dzheitune (Lam) 22/130 well was drilled to a depth of 3,770 metres, with testing of the short and long strings resulting in production rates of 1,487 bopd and 570 bopd respectively (a total of 2,057 bopd). Further testing and optimisation is scheduled to take place by the end of the year.
The Dzheitune (Lam) A/131 well was drilled to a depth of 4,120 metres, with testing of the short and long strings resulting in production rates of 2,280 bopd and 2,341 bopd respectively (a total of 4,621 bopd). Further testing and optimisation is scheduled to take place by the end of the year.
Preparations are currently being made to move the CIS 1 rig to the recently refurbished Dzheitune (Lam) 28 platform where it is expected to begin drilling development well Dzheitune (Lam) 28/B by the end of the year. This is the first of seven additional development wells to be drilled from the Dzheitune (Lam) 28 platform.
Background Note
Dragon Oil Plc is an innovative international oil and gas development and production company, quoted on the London and Irish Stock exchanges (Ticker symbol: DGO). Its principal producing asset is in the Cheleken Contract Area, in the eastern section of the Caspian Sea, offshore Turkmenistan and recently acquired interests in Blocks 35, 49 and R2 (10%) in the Republic of Yemen.
Dragon Oil (Turkmenistan) Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Dragon Oil plc, holds a 100% interest in and is the operator of the Production Sharing Agreement for the Cheleken Contract Area in the Caspian Sea, offshore Turkmenistan. Operational focus is on the re-development of two oil producing fields, Dzheitune (Lam) and Dzhygalybeg (Zhdanov).
www.dragonoil.com
For further information please contact:
Media enquiries
Citigate Dewe Rogerson (+44 20 7638 9571)
Martin Jackson
George Cazenove
Investor and Analyst enquiries
Dragon Oil Plc (+971 4 305 3600)
Leanne Denman, Investor Relations Officer
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