It’s a Cinch in B.C. conventional play

Cinch Energy, a junior exploration company, has again stirred interest in a conventional natural gas play in northeastern British Columbia.

Updating its drilling program, Cinch reported that its operated Dawson well (65 percent working interest) was drilled to a total depth of about 12,500 feet and tested at restricted rates of 7 million to12 million cubic feet per day from 130 feet of net pay in the Wabamun zone.

An earlier test well one mile to the west flowed as high as 20 million cubic feet per day, prompting company President George Ongyerth to list the wells as an extension of the Parkland Wabamun field, which has been producing for more than a decade.

Cinch said both wells should be producing before the end of 2010 at a long-term rate of 5 million cubic feet per day each.

Ongyerth said the wells are economic, despite current gas prices, and create some upside for conventional plays at a time when all of the focus is on tight and shale gas.

Cinch has an average working interest of 57 percent in 46,700 acres of Wabamun rights and is developing plans for drilling and shooting more 3-D seismic.

—Gary Park