Circle Oil abandons Oman well following drilling difficulties

LIMERICK, Ireland -- Circle Oil is to plug and abandon the Shisr-1 well, in Oman’s Block 49, following drilling difficulties.

The bottom hole assembly (BHA) became stuck below the 9⅝-in. casing shoe, which had been set at 819 m. Multiple attempts were made to remove the BHA but these proved unsuccessful.

Drilling information, confirmed by Circle Oil's independent drilling advisor, suggests that the main problem zone is immediately below the casing shoe and further attempts to deepen or sidetrack this borehole are inadvisable.

The Ministry of Oil and Gas in Oman have given their approval to plug and abandon the well. Management viewed this well as a high risk commitment well with a low probability of success, the company said in a statement.

Shisr-1 reached a measured depth of 1,650 m, but no hydrocarbons were encountered. The primary target had been the Hasirah sands, prognosed at a depth of 1,890 m.

"This well was always deemed as high risk and the unexpected and disappointing conditions experienced in this well, designed as a slim-hole stratigraphic test, have been a challenge to our drilling team," Chairman Steve Jenkins said.