Badger Explorer ASA - Successful Drilling Test in Clay Formation

Badger Explorer ASA - Successful Drilling Test in Clay Formation

Badger Explorer ASA has performed and completed a successful drilling
test in a clay formation. The test has been conducted at the test site
at Sola and is the first of two Milestone 3 tests of the Badger Explore
Prototype Program.  

The Sola test has been carried out in a clay formation that holds other
operational challenges than drilling in a sand/limestone formation. The
final analysis of the gained test results has yet to be performed.  

"The obtained test results are valuable. Even though much of the
analysis work still remains, we can already state that the first part of
Milestone 3 has led to more valuable results than anticipated. Drilling
in clay is demanding and BXPL will therefore continue to develop
solutions that will make drilling in clay with the Badger Explorer
stable. We are looking forward to the Brumunddal test and will mobilize
for it immediately." says Kjell Erik Drevdal, CEO of Badger Explorer
ASA. 

The Badger Explorer Demo50 that was used for the drilling test has
primarily been built for less demanding formations such as sand- and
limestone. Therefore, it has been necessary to significantly upgrade the
tool, for example the hydraulic system. The tool's improved performance
ability will lead to better, more relevant and reliable results during
the upcoming test.
The drilling test was performed with the redesigned tool and has taken
place in a continuous operation over several hours. The test site at
Sola is now being demobilized and the tool is being cleaned and prepared
before its transport to Brumunddal where the next test, a deeper
drilling-operation in sandstone, will take place. In the upcoming test
the Badge Explorer will drill itself considerably deeper than before,
but still retrievable for analysis.

The final test is planned to be executed in the course of the next
month, in this way the Prototype Program's Milestone 3 will be concluded
by the end of June.

Stavanger, 30 May 2011   

For further information, please contact:
Kjell Erik Drevdal, CEO, cell phone +47 916 43 552, office +47 52 97 45
15
Gunnar Dolven, CFO, cell phone +47 908 53 168, office +47 52 97 45 40