Kazakhstan-focused explorer Max Petroleum has successfully drilled the last well of its Sagiz West appraisal programme as it conducts a staff reshuffle.
The SAGW-7 has reached a depth of 1,438 metres with electric logs indicating 24 metres of net pay in four Triassic reservoirs, of “excellent” quality.
The company is now setting casing on the well to prepare it for testing, while its appraisal focus moves on the East Kyzylzhar I field to evaluate the Jurassic reservoirs identified in 3D surveying last year.
The announcement follows new appointments to the board of Max Petroleum and its operating subsidiary in Kazakhstan, Samek International.
Max’s general director, Kenneth Hopkins, has taken on the role of chief operating officer as his predecessor, Richard Hook, becomes a consultant to the company.
The firm is looking to benefit from Hopkins’ 32 year expertise in the oil and gas industry as a petroleum geologist, including 21 years spent living in the Asian country.
At Samek, the current finance director Andrew Large has been substituted by Gulmira Suleimen, formerly the company’s chief accountant. Kevin Clark, the firm’s financial controller, has taken over the role of company secretary from Geoff Stone.
The company is also planning to close its Houston office this year, as well as to cut costs of its London and Kazakhstan operations, it said in a statement.