Botala Energy Ltd. announced testing of the cores from the Serowe-3.4 well has commenced at Project Pitse. The coring analysis programme forms part of the desorption testing programme over the 3 coal seams. The programme is designed to test the desorption of methane gas from the coals over three testing periods. The results of the testing programme forms a critical component for future resource certification updates.

Cores from the primary target the Serowe seam, have been recovered and are undergoing preliminary testing within the field lab. The initial gas desorption measurements are completed over a 24-hour period to determine the immediate release of gas. All three seams will be tested with 9 samples from each seam to be assessed.

Drilling of the remaining seams is ongoing. Testing Process. The main goal of the coring and desorption operations is to acquire geological data and determine gas content through direct desorption methods.

Core data allows for the correlation with logs and other wellbore analyses. Results play a crucial role in enhancing the reserves and resource assessment of the field. Cores are extracted from predetermined depth intervals using conventionally retrievable HQ (61.1mm) core barrels.

Gas content, defined as the volume of gas contained in a unit mass of coal, is determined using the Direct gas desorption method outlined in the Australian Standard for the determination of desorbable gas in coal seams - Direct method (AS 3980-2016). Botala is planning three new exploration wells to be completed by the end of quarter 1, 2024. The exploration programme will test the extent of the coal seams to the South and East of Project Pitse.