Rather than risk the testing of SB-1X under these conditions, the company has decided to drill another sidetrack utilizing available equipment presently at the well-site.
Revised plans call for certain changes to the drilling procedures for the second sidetrack. A high viscosity inhibited mud will be used to maintain wellbore stability and minimize formation damage. Also, underbalanced drilling using nitrogen circulation will only be applied while drilling through each of the target zones.
The target zones in SB-1X2 remain the same as those encountered in the initial well and in the first sidetrack; zones 10 (5963′-5978′); 9(6050′-6100′); 7(6255′-6278′) and 6(6374′-6416′) which were identified as potential hydrocarbon targets from logs and samples of oil recovered. Each target zone will be isolated and tested when first penetrated, obtaining the proper information for the completion and avoiding damage to the wellbore. After completing the first test, drilling will then continue to the lower zones, which will be isolated and tested sequentially in the same manner. The company anticipates the completion of this program within 3-4 weeks.
