Melbana Energy Limited provided this update on its drilling operations in the Block 9 contract area, onshore Cuba. Drilling ahead continued in the past week in hard rock. At about 2,300 m MD the bit was retrieved and a decision made to case the more than 1,000 metres of open hole.

Several logging runs were then successfully conducted and drilling operations are now preparing the hole for the running then cementing of 9-5/8" casing. It is expected that drilling ahead in 8-1/2" should commence this weekend. The pre-drill prognosis for the primary objective was that it might begin at approximately 2,650 metres MD, although given the volcanics were encountered about 300 metres higher than expected it is considered possible that the target formation may also be encountered at a shallower depth.

The thickness of the ophiolite formation have encountered is now also thicker than prognosed, however.