In statements to CNA, president of the Cyprus National Hydrocarbons Company, Charalambos Ellinas, said that the drill stem test will test the pressure and quality of the deposits in Block 12. He said that the results of the test should be ready in the coming weeks. Ellinas did not rule out the possibility that a second confirmatory drilling would take place at a later stage.

Noble Energy, Delek Drilling and Avner will carry out the so-called drill stem test. The estimated budget for the production tests is approximately USD 64 million. Production tests are expected to last for approximately a month. A drill stem test (DST) is a procedure for testing the pressure, quality and productive capacity of a geological formation during the drilling of a well.

Exploratory drilling carried out by Noble energy in 2011 revealed an estimated resource of 5 trillion cubic feet (tcf) to 8 tcf, with a mean of 7 tcf. Noble Energy began an appraisal well last June, with results expected late September. Noble Energy operates Block 12 with a 70% working interest. Delek Drilling Limited Partnership and Avner Oil Exploration Limited Partnership each own 15%.

Source: Cyprus Mail