DX reported following an assessment of the security situation in Tunisia that ADX is continuing its preparations for the drilling of the Sidi Dhaher well in its onshore operated Chorbane block. The assessment of security and safety of personnel at the Sidi Dhaher well site and its operations office in Tunis has been in close consultation with the Companys numerous Tunisian contacts in country.p style="margin-top: 0.49cm; margin-bottom: 0.49cm;">DX reported following an assessment of the security situation in Tunisia that ADX is continuing its preparations for the drilling of the Sidi Dhaher well in its onshore operated Chorbane block. The assessment of security and safety of personnel at the Sidi Dhaher well site and its operations office in Tunis has been in close consultation with the Companys numerous Tunisian contacts in country.
ADX is continuing with road works and site preparations at the Sidi Dhaher well site. The ADX office in Tunis is fully functioning and all services such as communications, public transport and airport services are available without any disturbance. Additional precautions are being taken during all operations and travel of ADX personnel in Tunisia.
ADX has also been liaising closely with ETAP (Enterprise Tunisienne d'Activities Petrolieres) the Government agency responsible for the management of Oil and Gas activities in Tunisia whose offices have reopened as of January 17. ETAP is supportive and encouraged by the continuation of well site preparations, which are already at an advanced stage. It is important to note that Tunisia has an established civil service which is highly educated and can function independently of political influence.
ADX expects there will be some delay to the timing of spudding the Sidi Dhaher well primarily due to third party contractors taking additional security precautions and potential delays in customs handling of equipment. Assuming the recent improvement of the overall security situation continues in Tunisia, ADX anticipates that most contractor services will be fully available in February allowing a potential spud date in late February.
Ongoing updates will be provided on the security situation in Tunisia and the resulting impact on drilling preparations for the Sid Dhaher well.