Is Exxon discontinuing testing or abandoning this well? These are two very different things! As well, the markets reaction to poor initial results is amazing.

They have 1200m of pay zone to work with. If it is a case of fracing into a fault (this would be the reason for the FRESH water) there are options. Setting plugs, cementing off and coming up hole comes to mind. A fault would explain why poor inflow was encountered as the frac took off into the fault and didn't do what it was designed to do. The H2S (400PPM is a low concentration) could be coming from anywhere if in fact it is a fault we're talking about. The fact that the salinity is 5000 ppm is a GOOD thing. If it were 100 000 to 200 000 ppm that would be worth worrying about. Fresh water faults (natural fracture systems) are encountered everyday in the oil and gas industry and in NO WAY define a play of this size. I have personally been on wells where we were able to isolate a fresh water problem and successfully complete a well.

As well, I cannot believe that this will be all. One completion on one formation cannot define the entire production licence.

IMO