IGAS Energy Hits Bowland Shale with Irlam-1 Well

UK onshore-focused IGAS Energy announced Monday that it has completed drilling operations on the Irlam-1 exploration well at Barton Moss in Eccles, Lancashire. The well encountered coal measures, as expected, while also successfully intersecting a secondary target in the Dinantian limestone, finding a package that comprises both the Sabden and Bowland Shale formations.

IGAS said that it has acquired 400 feet of core across the shale intervals and that a full suite of wire line logs was run that, together with the core data, will be used to further evaluate the prospectivity of both the shale interval as well as the coal measures.

The well will now be suspended and rig demobilized, while a full laboratory analysis of the cores will take place. This is expected to take six months.

The firm also confirmed it is in the process of acquiring around 40 square miles of 3D seismic data in northwest England with a view to identifying several potential exploration and development sites in the region, prior to the drilling of its next well. In northeast England it has now completed its 3D seismic data acquisition on its PEDL 139/140 license on behalf of joint venture partners Total E&P UK, Egdon Resources, Dart Energy and eCorp.

IGAS Chief Executive Andrew Austin commented in a company statement:

"These early exploration results are key to our understanding of the potential resource in the area.

"We are pleased that the drilling has completed on time and on budget. We have worked extensively over the last few months with the various authorities to ensure the safety of everyone on and around site including protestors and neighbours. Our priority remains to conduct our operations safely, in an environmentally responsible manner and with consideration for the local community."



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