25 Feb 2014drilling spud▲ Good
The first of three 2014 core-holes was spudded on 21 February 2014 at Lesedi. The program feeds the aim of certifying Botswana's first 2P CBM reserves from the Lesedi project in mid-2014.
Announcements, explained
Each one in plain English, with the numbers worked through for a shareholder.
12 Dec 2013drilling scheduled▲ GoodMajor
The rig was released on 29 November. A three-well coring program is planned from late January 2014 near the Selemo and Lesedi pods, as a precursor to certifying Botswana's first CBM reserves, aimed for mid-2014. Selemo was completed as a single-lateral pod.
29 Nov 2013drilling result▲ GoodMajor
Lesedi 1B reached 1,492 m measured depth, intersected Lesedi 1P and was drilled under budget, completing the 2013 pilot drilling program. Selemo pumping continues with steady water production; Lesedi testing to start soon. Drilling finished within the 4Q13 timeline.
25 Nov 2013drilling progress report● Neutral
Lesedi 1B is drilling the in-seam horizontal section at 871 m, on pre-drill time and cost, with intersection of Lesedi 1P due later this week. Selemo dewatering continues with pressures still consistent with gassy coal; no gas or water rates given.
13 Nov 2013drilling result▲ GoodMajor
Lesedi 1A intersected the Lesedi 1P vertical well at 1,427 m, through 788 m of good gassy coal, on pre-drill time and cost after design changes. Rig moves to Lesedi 1B, and Selemo production testing is about to start. This partly offsets the earlier Selemo problems.
5 Nov 2013drilling progress report● Neutral
Lesedi 1A in-seam drilling is continuing through the target coal after 7 inch casing was cemented at 629 m. Selemo testing infrastructure is due to be finished by the weekend.
28 Oct 2013drilling progress report● Neutral
Horizontal drilling restarted on Lesedi 1A after a break while specialist equipment was shipped from Australia. The well is at 153 m and will be drilled to intercept Lesedi 1P. Selemo 1A-R test site works are nearly complete.
14 Oct 2013drilling progress report▼ Bad
The rig is at Lesedi 1A but on standby rate while specialist down-hole equipment arrives from Australia. The Lesedi wells are now expected to be completed by 4Q13. Recovery of equipment stuck in Selemo 1B is being planned, with a remedial completion after current drilling and testing.
30 Sept 2013drilling result▼ BadMajor
Selemo 1B was suspended at 969 m after loose rock repeatedly caved in and trapped the drill string, leaving the bottom hole assembly stuck. The company says drilling there may not resume in this campaign. The rig moves to the Lesedi pod, and Selemo 1A-R will be completed for testing.
18 Sept 2013drilling progress report▼ Bad
Selemo 1B is drilling within the target coal at 768 m. Tlou now expects the drilling program to finish in early November, about one month behind the original schedule, because of delays on the first well.
3 Sept 2013drilling progress report● Neutral
Drilling began on Selemo 1B, the second Selemo lateral, reaching 357 m measured depth. The drilling review led to changes: streamlined motor procedures, a modified drilling fluid system, and an alternate backup motor.
27 Aug 2013drilling progress report● Neutral
Selemo 1A-R has now intersected the Selemo 1P vertical well, resolving the earlier missed-intercept problem. The well is suspended pending completion and the rig moves to Selemo 1B. The review will add cost to 1A-R, but the rig and steering contractors agreed to adjust rates for later wells.
19 Aug 2013drilling progress report▼ Bad
Drilling of the Selemo 1A-R horizontal branch is paused because of persistent down-hole motor problems; a review is expected to finish by end of month. Good quality coal was found along the whole horizontal path. This extends the rig problems flagged on 16 August.
16 Aug 2013drilling progress report▼ Bad
Selemo 1A-R's horizontal section ran 1,475 m through good quality coal but missed the Selemo 1P vertical well on initial attempts, due to magnetic effects on survey tools. A new branch is being drilled. Delays are blamed on remoteness and rig equipment deficiencies; lost time is hoped to be recovered.
26 July 2013drilling progress report● Neutral
Selemo 1A-R reached 716 m measured depth, landing in the target coal seam, with 7 inch casing set at 577 m. The ~750 m horizontal section is about to start, expected over the next week; the schedule is described as on track.
10 July 2013drilling progress report● Neutral
The lateral drilling phase has started: the Buffalo rig was accepted on contract on 9 July and began on Selemo 1A-R, with 9-5/8 inch casing run to 202 m. Operations are described as proceeding to program.
8 July 2013drilling progress report● Neutral
All top-hole drilling is finished; Selemo 1P reached 560 m. The Buffalo rig arrived on 7 July and is rigging up to start the first lateral well, Selemo 1A-R. Q3 completion is still the target.
1 July 2013drilling progress report● Neutral
Vertical well Lesedi 1P was completed at 492 m total depth, and the rig moved to Selemo 1P. The Buffalo rig is due to be mobilised later that week for the lateral wells.
20 June 2013drilling progress report● Neutral
Lesedi 1B top hole finished at 180 m and Lesedi 1P, the final top hole, was at 126 m. Surface casing will then be cemented on all six wells, with the Buffalo rig due in early July.
17 June 2013drilling progress report● Neutral
Lesedi 1A top hole is done (153 m) and Lesedi 1B is nearly complete, with Lesedi 1P next. The Buffalo rig is expected on site in early July; the program is described as on schedule.
12 June 2013drilling progress report● Neutral
Top-hole drilling began on the Lesedi pod, starting with Lesedi 1A on 11 June. Lateral sections with the larger Buffalo rig are scheduled for early July, with the Q3 completion target unchanged.
3 June 2013drilling progress report● Neutral
Top-hole drilling is complete on Selemo 1A-R (218 m) and the vertical Selemo 1P (469 m, suspended). The Lesedi pod top holes start 8 June, with the schedule described as on track.
24 May 2013drilling progress report● Neutral
Selemo 1B's top hole was finished at 220 m and the redrill of Selemo 1A (1A-R) started, after the earlier casing cementing failure. Tlou chose redrilling as more cost effective than recovering the original well, and says the timetable is on track.
17 May 2013drilling progress report▼ Bad
Selemo 1B began drilling, but Selemo 1A had a cementing failure on its surface casing and will be redrilled, taking about 2 days. A small early setback; the Q3 completion target is unchanged.
13 May 2013drilling spud▲ GoodMajor
Tlou began its six-well Karoo Central pilot programme, spudding Selemo 1A on 11 May 2013 in PL 002/2004. Drilling is due to finish in Q3 2013 with testing from Q4, following the contracts signed in April.