Jolokia 1 was completed at a depth of 4911 m. This was short of the target 5000 m, but a routine bit-change was recognised as a natural time to halt drilling. J1 will be shut in for an expected six months pending development of a “technical solution” to multi-fracture stimulation.

Also, GDY has signed a contract for the construction and delivery of a second drill rig to operate in GDYs Cooper Basin licences. National Oilwell Varco will build the rig in Canada.

Meanwhile, at Habanero, GDY is still working with equipment supplier Schlumberger to restore the troublesome pump to service, hopefully within eight weeks.