"OFFSHORE MAURITANIA DRILLING UPDATE
CHINGUETTI-18 DEVELOPMENT WELL
ROC advises that the Atwood Hunter drilling rig commenced drilling the
Woodside-operated Chinguetti-18 development well within PSC B before midnight on
29 December (local time).
At midnight on 30 December (local time), the well had been drilled to a depth of
approximately 900 metres where the 30 inch conductor casing was run and then
cemented prior to pulling out of hole on 31 December (local time).
By 0600 hours on 1 January 2007 (local time), preparations were underway to
drill ahead.
Chinguetti-18 is located within the southern part of the Chinguetti Oil and Gas
Field in a water depth of 819 metres approximately 80 km southwest of the
Mauritanian capital Nouakchott. The planned Total Depth is 2,912 metres and the
well is expected to be drilled and completed by late February 2007.
Participating interests are:
Company Chinguetti Joint Venture
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Roc Oil group companies 3.24984%
Woodside group companies (Operator) 47.38448%
Hardman group companies 19.00800%
Societe Mauritanienne des Hydrocarbures 12.00000%
BG group companies 10.23440%
Premier group companies 8.12328%