Release date: 26 March 2007
 
Yemen (March. 14, 2007) – COGE Exploration (YEMEN) LLC. Announced operating and Development agreement to drill a research well on the Block #41 in Yemen, in partnership with the OGMC a Yemeni oil & Gas Company. COGE and OGMC will recommence drilling in January, 2008 to collect more geologic samples and gather knowledge about gas hydrate, an unconventional energy resource. The most recent tests were conducted on the location known in the industry as Block #41 in the Gulf of Aden.
The first hydrate core samples were extracted from Block #41 in 1998. The Stratigraphic test well enabled COGE and its Partners to gather core, reservoir performance and fluid data from a Sand pad location at Milne Point. The next drilling begins with the 2nd Exploration May, 2008. The exploration team has conducted extensive well logging and wireline formation testing as well.

"With this project, we have significantly increased our understanding of oil & gas hydrate-bearing formations on the Block #41," said Dr. Nani, COGE Geological Frame Work Director and the project's technical adviser. "The results also illustrate the value of collaborative research," he said. This test well is part of the ongoing research partnership between COGE, OGMC and TYCO, which began in March of 2007.

COGE and its partners are seeking the significant deposits of methane hydrate that are known to be under the surface in Yemen. After the natural resource is found, the processing team must separate the natural gas from the solid gas-water-ice “clathrate” in which it occurs.

The on-site coring and data team included scientist from COGE, OGMC, TYCO and MOM for the hydrate program. Drilling crews and research team members collected about 430 feet of core samples. The cylindrical core segments, about three inches in diameter, were initially sub-sampled and analyzed on site due to the time-and temperature-dependent date requirements. They were then shipped to Yemen for temporary storage before being sent to Block #41 researchers around the country. Subsequent data collection and analysis will continue for several months. A report of the findings will be released when the study has been completed.

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Well Information

• This well provided a Stratigraphic test of interpreted significant Oil Reservoirs/Seals accumulations from Milne seismic and well data. Core, wireline logs, and wireline down hole testing will help assess Oil Reservoirs-bearing sediment, shallow reservoirs, and fluid properties.
• Location: Block #41 which is 5600 sqKm south of Yemen near the Northern part of Gulf of Aden. The oil field is owned in parts with OMGC and TYCO operated by COGE/YEMEN.
• Target: Curd Oil within the 5600 sqKm accumulation, identified by seismic, well, and reservoir modeling studies during in Phases 1-2 of this research program.
• Unique technology: Drilling mud chillers and the wireline-deployed coring system, both of which have been used in Canada and in the Middle East

The Project:

• This is a joint effort of the OGMC and COGE Laboratory with utilization of the state-of-the-art technology in the United States and Join Ventures between the major universities in US such as Georgia Tech Research Center, Arizona and others.
• The project recorded a number of firsts, including the first significant Oil Discovery-bearing core in Yemen, and the first delineation of seismically-defined.
• Key on-site participants: The coring & data team included scientists from the COGE, OGMC, TYCO and MOM.

Illustrations:

• Map of the project site (COGE)
• Graphic of Geological Setting (OGMC-COGE)
• Stratigraphic illustration of Geological. (OGMC)
• Graphic of core sample (COGE)

Photos:

• Technicians preparing core samples (OGMC)
• Scientist cleaning/inspecting samples(COGE)
• Close-up of Oil samples (OGMC)
• Scientist holding sample in hand (OGMC-COGE)
• Future drilling rig on site (COGE)

Further information:

Name: Dr. Nani
Office: COGE Press office
Location: United States of America
Name: Rich Tackels
Office: COGE Press office
Email: Info@cogeoil.com