Melbana Energy Limited advises that the Zapato-1 exploration well being drilled in its Block 9 PSC area onshore Cuba (Melbana 30%) has successfully reached the target total depth of 3,152 mMD. Wireline logging operations have been run and the collected data is being analysed. Drilling saw increased fracturing and a marked improvement in penetration rate in the last two hundred metres or so.

Whilst this could be interpreted as a change in lithology, the well was still within the ophiolitic sequence at the target total depth and velocity data from the first logging run confirmed that the original reservoir target defined on seismic had been tested. The well will now be suspended so that the subsurface interpretation may be reviewed once all the new data sets have been incorporated. The rig is being demobilised and, upon completion of necessary maintenance and recertifications, will be sent back to the Alameda drill pad to commence appraisal of the significant volumes of moveable hydrocarbons encountered by the Alameda-1 well.

Melbana will provide more information on this appraisal program and the 2023 work program in due course, for which it is fully funded.