Union Jack Oil plc (AIM: UJO), a UK focused onshore hydrocarbon production, development and exploration company is pleased to announce that a positive decision document in respect of the testing of the West Newton A-2 well ("WNA-2") on PEDL183, has been received from the Environment Agency ("EA") by Rathlin Energy (UK) Limited ("Rathlin" or the "Operator").
PEDL183 is located onshore, north of the river Humber in East Yorkshire. The licence is within the Western sector of the Southern Zechstein Basin. Union Jack holds a 16.665% interest in this licence which includes the West Newton A-1 and A-2 hydrocarbon discoveries.
Rathlin, Operator of PEDL183, on 24 April 2020, received a decision document from the EA, granting a variation to the permit for the West Newton A site and associated WNA-2 testing operations.
This variation will allow Rathlin to use mechanical methods (pumpjack/nodding donkey) for lifting wellbore fluids and for the utilisation of a smaller incineration unit during the testing of the WNA-2 well.
During drilling and early testing operations of the WNA-2 well, additional information was gathered that improved the understanding of the targeted Kirkham Abbey reservoir leading to the identification of a potential oil leg overlain by an associated gas cap within the reservoir interval.
Testing operations at West Newton will recommence once government guidance pertaining to COVID-19 permits, the required personnel and equipment become available, and the health and continued safety of Rathlin employees, contract personnel and the community can be ensured.
Executive Chairman of Union Jack, David Bramhill, commented:"We now have all key permits in place which allow the testing of the West Newton A-2 well.
"We are also seeing excellent progress with regards initial works at the West Newton B site.
"Combined with the ongoing Wressle development project where "first oil" is anticipated in H2 2020, Union Jack is in an excellent position from both a corporate and financial situation, where we are fully funded for our drilling and development commitments during 2020".
Reabold, the AIM investing company which focuses on investments in pre-cash flow upstream oil and gas projects, is pleased to announce that a positive decision document in respect of the testing of the West Newton A-2 well ("WNA-2") on PEDL183 has been received from the Environment Agency ("EA") by Rathlin Energy (UK) Limited ("Rathlin"), the Operator.
Rathlin, on April 24, 2020, received a decision document from the EA, granting a variation to the permit for the West Newton "A" Site and associated WNA-2 testing operations.
This variation will allow Rathlin to use mechanical methods (pumpjack/nodding donkey) for lifting wellbore fluids and for the utilisation of a smaller incineration unit during the testing of the WNA-2 well.
During drilling and early testing operations of the WNA-2 well, additional information was gathered that improved the understanding of the targeted Kirkham Abbey (KA) reservoir leading to the identification of a potential oil leg overlain by an associated gas cap within the reservoir interval pursuant to the RNS issued on 29 August 2019. Accordingly, this redesigned test programme has been optimised to evaluate the identified oil column.
Testing operations at West Newton will recommence once government guidance pertaining to COVID-19 permits, the required personnel and equipment become available, and the continued health and safety of Rathlin employees, contract personnel and the community can be ensured. Reabold holds an approximate 39 per cent. effective economic interest in West Newton via its 59 per cent. equity interest in Rathlin, which is fully funded for activity across both A and B sites.
Stephen Williams, co-CEO of Reabold, commented:
"We are extremely pleased to now have all key permits in place for the testing at West Newton A-2. The focus now is to prepare as much as possible in order to execute the test as soon as Covid-19 related restrictions allow. We are also seeing good progress with regards initial work at the West Newton B site and look forward to an active programme at both locations over the coming months."