The first results are trickling in from the Gapowo B-1 well drilling in Poland, which is being overseen by BNK Petroleum Inc. (TSE: BKX).
The well has been bored to roughly 4300 meters deep, and the drilling encountered shales under high pressure in the Lower Silurian and Ordovician beds. The readings for gas also showed far higher than in any previous wells dug on BNK’s Saponis concessions.
These gas readings were almost 20 times higher on average than previous readings seen in the Lebork S-1 well. Maximum total gas readings shot up to over 45 times higher. It is noteworthy that these high readings are present despite the Gapowo well using higher-weight drilling muds and featuring a comparatively slow penetration rate. If a horizontal well is introduced, like the type being used in U.S. shale deposits, even more gas could be obtained.
So far, the geological data bears out BNK’s predictions. The company expects to find the best shale intervals in the Lower Silurian at between 40 to 75 gross meters thick, out of the total extent of 120 meters that offered promise of significant gas presence, Energy Global says.
They also expect the Lower Silurian to have much higher Total Organic Carbon (TOC) than in any of the company’s prior wells, based mainly upon the strong gas shows, core inspections, and mud log descriptions.
Currently, drilling on the Gapowo B-1 well is on hold until the company receives full clearance for horizontal drilling.
