88 Energy spuds Merlin-2 appraisal on Alaskan North Slope

88 Energy Ltd., Perth, has spudded its Merlin-2 appraisal as part of Project Peregrine in the NPR-A region of the North Slope of Alaska.

The well is planned for a total depth of around 8,000 ft and is targeting around 650 million bbl of unrisked prospective resource (oil) in the N18, N19, and N20 zones of the prospective Nanushuk formation that were successful discoveries in Merlin-1 drilled in March-April 2021 to a total depth of 5,267 ft.

Logging while drilling and mudlogging will be used to determine initial indications of the prospectivity of each target zone.

A production test program has been designed for Merlin-2 with equipment held on standby. Testing will be contingent on the wireline results as well as government approvals and weather considerations.

Project Peregrine encompasses 195,000 contiguous acres and is on trend with recent discoveries in a newly successful play type in topset sands in the Nanushuk.

88 Energy has 100% interest in the area.