Kurdistan Oils, Westernzagros Resources - WZR, WZGRF and Vast Explorations - VST, VSTFF

Kurdistan Oils, Westernzagros Resources - WZR, WZGRF and Vast Explorations - VST, VSTFF

With the beginnings of interest in Kurd oils with former BP CEO Tony Hayward stirring interest there with his new Vallares buyout of Genel Energy.
http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/e022e024-d96e-11e0-b52f-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1XTYfjqEV


 Map of southern part of Kurdistan and the oil/gas explorations:

• 

map source:  http://www.shamaranpetroleum.com/i/pdf/Kurdistan_Oil_Gas_Activity.pdf


FWIW, here are my two Kurdistan Oil holdings:

Westernzagros Resources - WZR, WZGRF

• partnered with Talisman
• found gas at Kudamir 1 and oil at Sarqala 1
• Talisman is drilling Kudamir 2

Here is an IR brief of Westernzagros with the CEO talking:




Latest PR from Westernzagros:  http://www.stockhouse.com/News/CanadianReleasesDetail.aspx?n=8300010

WesternZagros's Lab Tests Show 1,900 Metres of Oil and Gas Interval in Kurdamir-1 Well

Westernzagros Resources Ltd WZR

9/8/2011 5:30:00 AM

CALGARY, ALBERTA, Sep 8, 2011 (Marketwire via COMTEX News Network) --

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 received encouraging results from a recently-completed study of the drill cuttings from its Kurdamir-1 well utilizing advanced technology. The study, by Weatherford Laboratories in Houston, confirmed the potential of a gross oil and gas interval over 1,900 metres thick in the Kurdamir-1 well. These results significantly increase the Company's confidence of encountering oil in the Eocene and Cretaceous reservoirs in the upcoming Kurdamir-2 well, which would add to the oil already encountered in the Oligocene reservoir.

WesternZagros expects Kurdamir-2 to be spudded in the fourth quarter of 2011 on the Company's Kurdamir Block which is operated by Talisman. Kurdamir-2 is located approximately two kilometres away from Kurdamir-1 and will target the Oligocene, Eocene and Cretaceous reservoirs on the flank of the structure where the combined potential oil interval is likely at maximum thickness. The combined audited mean estimate for all three reservoirs is 585 million barrels of prospective oil resources as at January 14, 2011.

The advanced geochemical study was comprised of both Total Scanning Fluorescence (TSF) and Thermal Extraction Gas Chromatography (TEGC) analyses of approximately 100 drill cutting samples and six oil and condensate samples from the Kurdamir-1 well. TSF is a technique applied to organic solvents from drill cuttings by exciting a sample using UV light and measuring its fluorescence intensity. TEGC provides a rapid automated determination of hydrocarbon compounds. In combination, these techniques can differentiate between oil and gas in potential reservoirs.

"This is a further positive step in our evaluation of the potentially large oil intervals of the Kurdamir discovery," said Simon Hatfield, WesternZagros's Chief Executive Officer. "We are excited by the upcoming opportunity for the Kurdamir-2 well to test the potential for over 580 million barrels of recoverable oil in the Oligocene, Eocene and Cretaceous reservoirs."

Vast Explorations - VST, VSTFF

• partnered with Niko Resources with Niko drilling
• found oil in Qara Dagh, albeit low flow with damaged skin
• Niko drilling deeper to test the Kometan formation
• results expected within 30 days

PR on hitting oil and drilling deeper:  http://www.vastexploration.com/news-releases/view/106/

PRESS RELEASE | July 11, 2011

Vast Exploration Inc. – Provides Drilling Update

Calgary, Alberta, - Vast Exploration Inc. (“Vast” or the “Company”) (TSX-V: VST) is pleased to provide the following update on the Niko Resources Ltd. (“Niko Resources”) operated Qara Dagh Block in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Drilling of the Qara Dagh well has reached a total depth of 3,908 meters, has been log evaluated and, as previously reported, the well has been cased to 3,558 meters with a 7 inch casing string. The following intervals have been evaluated where the results to date are summarized below.

Open Hole Interval - Shiranish Formation

This interval from 3,558 meters to 3,908 meters was acidized and flowed light oil confirming an active hydrocarbon column. The interval achieved maximum production rate of 550 barrels of oil per day and 800 mscf/d of gas, although these rates were not sustained for the entire duration of the test. The oil produced is 48 degrees API with no H2S.

From the data interpretation, and the significant spike in observed well bore pressures before the drilling was stopped, it is believed that the well has potentially entered into the first 10 meters of the next reservoir, the Cretacous aged Kometan formation, which is one of the primary target zones previously identified. It is important to note that the Kometan formation is regionally known to be a naturally fractured reservoir which has produced significant quantities of oil.

Mr. Ahmed Said, President & CEO, commented “We are pleased with the recovery of light oil from this section. Although the reservoir quality appears to be naturally tight, the establishment of an oil column is significant. The possibility of drilling deeper to further evaluate production potential of the Kometan formation is currently under consideration.”

Shiranish / Tanjero Interval

Certain sections in this cased interval was perforated and then acidized. The well had intermittent flow of light oil. The maximum rates achieved were 400 barrels per day of 42 to 47 API oil and 520 mscf/d of gas confirming a second active hydrocarbon system with no H2S.

Current Status and Forward Plan

The operator, Niko Resources, is currently in the process of testing the Aalijii Formation which consists of thick sequence of turbidities sand and argillaceous shales. While drilling this section in July 2010, it was reported that an increase in fluorescence, gas readings and free light oil in the mud system was detected.

Further, there are ongoing discussions between the consortium group to possibly deepen the well up to an additional 250 meters, subsequent to the completion of the current testing program. The primary purpose would be to drill deeper to further evaluate the production potential of the proliferous Kometan formation, the zone immediately below the Shiranish formation. Confirmation of the possibility and technical capability of re-entering the well and drilling deeper is expected over the next few weeks.

The Goombarh owns both, with a tilt towards Vast, as it is the lower priced one and with Niko drilling deeper to test the Kometan formation, which has already shown oil in the mud.