Americas Petrogas reported the La Hoya.x-1 well, which is the first Vaca Muerta shale vertical exploration well drilled in the Totoral Block, has been cased and cemented.

A full suite of logs and both conventional cores as well as sidewall cores have been acquired.

Production casing has been set to a total depth of approximately 1,970 m (6,463 ft). The well penetrated 203 m (666 ft) of the primary target Vaca Muerta formation with oil and gas shows through the whole shale column. Hydrocarbon shows were also encountered and data acquired in the Mulichinco at 91 m (299 ft) thick, Quintuco at 662 m (2,172 ft) thick, and Quebrada del Sapo at 58 m (190 ft) thick formations.

The company has begun detailed analysis of the cores and cuttings at international service company laboratories in Argentina. This is expected to reduce the time required to identify fracing and testing options for shale oil or shale gas reservoirs as well as other identified targets.

The Totoral block, of which Americas Petrogas is the operator and holds a 90% working interest, is approximately 1,069 sq km (423 sq miles).

“We are very excited about the oil and gas shows on this new play in the southern region of the Neuquen basin,” said Barclay Hambrook, the company’s president and CEO. “This well represents a major step towards de-risking a large area and adds significant value to our shale block portfolio.”