Initial drilling and electric log results of the AKD07 well drilled in the Akkulka block in Kazakhstan show potential hydrocarbons in the Jurassic limestone sequence and lower down in a thin Jurassic sandstone near the current total depth of the well, Tethys Petroleum Ltd. reported.

The Dyna sheet sand and the Doris channel sand were both present and of good quality but both have been interpreted as being water bearing, according to a news release. Drilling is now about to recommence on the well toward a planned total depth (TD) of 2,750 m (9,022 ft) in order to more fully assess the potential hydrocarbon bearing zones in the Upper Jurassic sand sequence.

The current total depth is 2,585 m (8,481 ft) in the Upper Jurassic sequence with a thin potentially oil-bearing sand having been encountered just above total depth. The Upper Jurassic limestone interval (which tested at 1,373 b/d in well AKD01 and 1,568 b/d in well AKD05, where it is completed as a producer) some 1.75 km (1.09 miles) and 1.8 km (1.1 miles) away respectively has a gross thickness of some 22 m (72 ft), the release stated . Drilling and wireline log data indicate moveable hydrocarbons within this zone. This is approximately 30 m (98 ft) deeper than the previous lowest known oil in the nearby wells within that horizon and if confirmed to be oil bearing would significantly increase the potential reserves at this level.

Further analysis of the log data on the Jurassic limestone is currently underway and drilling is about to recommence to a new planned TD of 2,750 m (9,022 ft) in order to fully assess the potential of the Upper Jurassic sand interval. At this point a decision will be made on running casing and testing the well. It is expected that the new TD will be reached within the next week, according to the release.