Matrix to drill-stem test N. Sumatra ?West Kambuna 1? exploration well

Australian listed oil, gas explorer Matrix Oil NL said Monday that final preparations are underway for the start of a three drill-stem test program at its West Kambuna 1 exploration well, located in the Asahan Offshore Production Sharing Contract (PSC) in the offshore North Sumatra Basin.

According to the company, on Monday, 26 November 2001, a wire-line perforating tool was being rigged up ahead of perforating the first zone of interest. Once that operation has been completed, the well will be opened up for drill-stem test.

The company said since November 19, the well was drilled from 8,299 feet below rotary table (brt) to total depth of 8,466 ft brt, some 150 feet into basement. A full suite of electrical logs was then run to evaluate hydrocarbon shows detected while drilling. A 7" liner was next run in the hole to a depth of 8459 ft brt and cemented in place ahead of the testing program.

The compay said each test would take two to three days to complete.

The West Kambuna Prospect straddles the boundary between Matrix's 75 percent-owned Asahan Offshore contract area and its 90 percent-owned adjacent Glagah Kambuna contract area. Matrix is operator of both contract areas.(alex)