APR 13, 2010 - 05:30 ET
WesternZagros Provides Kurdamir-1 Sidetrack Operational Update
CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - April 13, 2010) -
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES
WesternZagros Resources Ltd. (TSX VENTURE:WZR) ("WesternZagros" or "the Company") has commenced drilling the sidetrack hole on the Kurdamir-1 well, which has now reached 2989 metres. The Company now plans to drill through the Aaliji interval to approximately 3,300 metres, and to log the hole and run 7 inch casing at that point prior to drilling into the Shiranish reservoir. The expected total depth of the sidetrack hole is approximately 3,900 metres, which is above the high pressure Gulneri zone. Upon reaching total depth, WesternZagros intends to log the hole and run a 4 1/2 inch liner prior to commencing the cased hole testing program in the Shiranish and Upper Aaliji reservoirs.
"Having gained considerable knowledge from drilling the Aaliji and Shiranish in the original hole we are well positioned to complete the sidetrack operations and move forward into our testing operations," said Simon Hatfield, WesternZagros' Chief Executive Officer. "We look forward to testing the promising oil and gas shows in the Aaliji and Shiranish formations."
The costs of these sidetracking operations were included in the revised well cost forecast issued in the Company's news release on February 23, 2010. The Company is pursuing an insurance claim related to these additional costs.
Kurdamir-1 is a wildcat exploration well located on the Kalar Bawanoor Block, in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. WesternZagros is drilling the well with its co-venturers, the Kurdistan Regional Government and Talisman Energy Inc. Further operational updates will be provided as WesternZagros progresses the sidetrack operations.
