Offshore staff

PERTH, Western Australia -- Hardman Resources Ltd. says drilling is progressing offshore Mauritania. The Atwood Hunter drilled the Aigrette-1 discovery well to a TD 5,152 m (16,903 ft) in 1,358 m (4.455 ft) water depth. A comprehensive program of wireline logging, pressure measurement, fluid sampling, and sidewall coring was undertaken to maximize the information from the well.

"The discovery of oil in the Cretaceous zone in block 7 extends the oil fairway within the northern region of Mauritania, and while not likely to be commercially significant at this location, it offers encouragement for future exploration within this still relatively new oil province," said Simon Potter, CEO and managing director.

Dana Petroleum operates block 7 with 36% interest. Partners include Gaz de France with 27.85%, Hardman Resources Ltd. with 16.2%, Woodside with 15%, and Roc Oil Co. with 4.95%.

When the Aigrette-1 well is completed, theAtwood Hunter will undergo a planned maintenance period, then relocate to the Chinguetti oil field in PSC B to drill the C-18 infill production well.

Well C-18 is a deviated well from the existing SW manifold and will target the CN2 and CN3 sands. The well has been accelerated from the initial development plan, given the lower-than-predicted production rates of the field in 2006, and is expected to contribute to production from the end of Jan. 2007.

Woodside operates PSC B with 53.846% interest. Partners include Hardman Resources with 21.6%, BG Group with 11.63%, Premier Oil with 9.231%, and Roc Oil with 3.693%.

12/05/2006