Should be immediate indications of something (but not necessarily commercial oil/gas) as soon as they enter the reservoir sands because the drilling penetration rate will likely change suddenly (a drilling break). If there's a lot of gas they'll get a gas kick and detect gas in the drilling mud at surface. If oil, this should also show in the mud and drill cuttings recovered from the mud. Drilling rate would probably suddenly increase also. But they could also get a drilling break by striking a high-qual reservoir of water-wet sands (and that is definite confirmation of a duster). Even if they get hc's they still won't immediately know if it's commercial, it could be residual. Bit of a cliff-hanger I'm afraid!
Discl: I'm not a pro geo, just part-geo (if there's such a thing!). The above is a bit oversimplified but generally correct. Others may be able to add value to it!
MOG Price at posting:
21.5¢ Sentiment: None Disclosure: Held
