Garfish-1 exploration well to commence drilling

Offshore staff

MELBOURNE, Australia -- The exploration well Garfish-1 (formally referred to as Longtom Upper) in the Gippsland basin offshore Victoria, is expected to spud early next week using the West Triton jackup drilling rig, according to operator Nexus Energy Ltd.

The primary target of the Garfish-1 well will be to test a seismic anomaly which directly overlies the Longtom gas field. Similar seismic anomalies at Longtom have been shown to indicate the presence of gas bearing reservoir sands. Following the intersection of the primary target, the well will then be deepened to confirm that the main reservoir sands of the Longtom field extend to the western part of the VIC/L29 license area.

05/23/2008