>I think it was spudded in Aug 2008

You are right Lanman. I think you remember this article I've translated about a week ago.

On October 7th MOL sent its reply. In the letter, MOL reports that the deep drilling of the Mindszent well between August and November 2008 has been successfully completed, consequently non-traditional hydrocarbons were discovered.

http://www.promenad.hu/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=59950

Domestic News: Gas production could start within six years.

On September 21 2009 at the Mindszent township meeting, Laszlo Párkányi township representative appealed to the Mayor’s Office and requested from the Mayor's Office to seek information from MOL Nyrt. about the company’s deep drilling research activities on the outskirts of the township.

The Mindszent Development Office on September 30 2009 contacted MOL in writing. In the letter sent to György Volter MOL’s head of official and social relations, asking for information about the current state of research activities, results of the deep drilling and whether the hydrocarbon production is expected in the near future - said clerk Dr.Tamás Hevesi.

On October 7th MOL sent its reply. In the letter, MOL reports that the deep drilling of the Mindszent well between August and November 2008 has been successfully completed, consequently non-traditional hydrocarbons were discovered. However, the research still continues in the Makó trough, therefore currently there are no definitive opinions pertaining to future research and possible extraction. Since then, the research permit in Mindszent area expired on July 27 2009, right now MOL, in accordance with the relevant legislations is preparing the final report of the research process to the Mining Bureau. After the acceptance of the report by the Mining Bureau, MOL planning to apply for a mining plot in area.

In addition, György Volter reported in a phone conversation, the explorations have been successfully concluded, indeed the expected amount of non-conventional hydrocarbons, or natural gas is there under the earth more than 4300 meters deep. Even before the drillings has started, in a public forum held in Mindszent, the MOL's representative said, that it is clear that there is sufficient gas in the ground, but only after the completion of the test drillings can be determined what technology to be used and at what price can it be brought to the surface. So the question is can it be done economically. According to the information from György Volter, they have succeeded in finding the technology that could economically bring the gas to the surface. This proves that the MOL has a definitive plan to open a mining plot at the Mihási road site in July 2010. Under the existing mining laws, when a mining plot is granted, production must begin within 5 years. This means that between July 2010 and July 2015 the production probably will start.

According to the clerk this is good news, since Mindszent’s local authorities can expect a significant business tax revenues, and employment impact from such a large scale investment.

Peter Kokovai