Irish exploration and production company Circle Oil, has plugged and abandoned the Shisr-1 well in Oman’s Block 49 due to drilling difficulties, the company has announced.Â
It said in a statement that Oman’s Ministry of Oil and Gas has given its approval to give up exploration in the well.
Circle started drilling of the Shisr-1 well on the 12th of February reaching a measured depth of 1,650m.
However, due to drilling difficulties, “which have not been encountered to the same extent in previous wells in the area, no hydrocarbons were found,” the statement said.
“The primary target had been the Hasirah sands prognosed at a depth of 1,890m”, it added.
The company said its management viewed this well as a high-risk commitment well with a low probability of success.
Circle Oil chairman Steve Jenkins commented, “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.”
Circle Oil, through two wholly owned subsidiaries, Circle Oil Oman Ltd and Circle Oil Oman Offshore Ltd, has two exploration and production sharing agreements (EPSAs) with Oman for onshore Block 49 and offshore Block 52.
The EPSA for Block 49 was signed in June 2005. The block covers 15,438sq km in the Rub al Khali basin adjacent to the border with Saudi Arabia.
