Independent exploration and production firm Wentworth Energy has announced that Marathon Oil is preparing to drill its first deep gas test well on Wentworth's 27,557-acre mineral block in east Texas.
Marathon has reportedly been reviewing 3D seismic data and is ready to start its first test well that will target the Bossier and Cotton Valley trend on the mineral block located near Fairfield and Palestine, Texas.
In November 2006, Marathon Oil secured an exclusive three-year lease on approximately 9,000 acres of Wentworth’s mineral block within the East Texas Deep Bossier and Cotton Valley trend.
The three-year lease and a joint operating agreement with Wentworth Energy gives Marathon the right to drill deep gas wells on the mineral block and the opportunity to partner with Wentworth Energy on drilling upper zones on an equal basis.
David Steward, Wentworth Energy’s chairman and CEO, said: We expect drilling to start on the initial Marathon test well in the first quarter of 2008. Marathon has contracted the rig it intends to use from a nearby project to drill the Studdard Steward M-1 well, and has indicated drilling will commence once that project is complete and the rig is in place on the Wentworth acreage.