Casing While Drilling (CWD)

Northern’s wholly owned subsidiary: Northern Petroleum Nederland B.V. (NPN) has successfully used Casing While Drilling (CWD) technology for the first 780m (2,567 ft) section of the Nieuwendijk well. CWD is an innovative technology used for simultaneously drilling and casing a well. The process enabled a safer and speedier operation to reach to target depth by eliminating conventional drill string tripping and associated risks. A Hughes Christensen drillable 12-1/4” EZCase bit was used. This is the longest CWD run with this system in the Eastern Hemisphere.

NPN has utilised casing drilling technology on the automated drilling rig (LOC 400). The rig was newly fabricated by Northern Dutch Drilling Company (NDDC) and the CWD run was the first well for the rig and crew since manufacture.

The Hughes Christensen EZCase bit drilled the 780m from surface in 71 hours with a Rate of Penetration (ROP) of 11 m/hr (36 ft/hr) using controlled drilling. The casing was successfully cemented through the bit with no difficulty. The EZCase bit was then drilled-out through its centre in 1.5 hours using a specially designed 8-1/2” Polycrystalline Diamond Compact (PDC) bit. This bit has enabled both drill-out of the casing bit and continuous drilling ahead for the intermediate section of the hole.

The well is currently conventionally drilling ahead towards its reservoir objective.

In accordance with the AIM Rules – Guidance for Mining and Oil & Gas Companies, the information contained in this announcement has been reviewed and signed off by the Exploration and Technical Director of Northern, Mr Graham Heard CGeol FGS, who has over 30 years experience as a petroleum geologist.

For further information please contact:

Northern Petroleum Plc
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7469 2900
Derek Musgrove, Managing Director
Chris Foss, Finance Director
Graham Heard, Exploration & Technical Director

Investec (NOMAD and Financial Adviser)
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7597 5000
Michael Ansell / Patrick Robb

Blue Oar (Joint Broker)
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7448 4400
Jerry Keen / Toby Gibbs

Jefferies International (Joint Broker)
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7029 8000
Chris Snoxall / Schuyler Evans

Bishopsgate Communications (Press)
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7562 3350
Nick Rome / Michael Kinirons

Buchanan Communications (Analysts)
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7466 5000
Tim Thompson / Ben Romney