Predator Oil & Gas Suspends MOU-6 After Test Recovers Only Diesel and Brine

Predator Oil & Gas has suspended its MOU-6 well in Morocco after testing failed to produce gas, with the company citing low permeability and low gas saturation at the location as the most likely explanation. UK Investor Magazine reported the result on October 30, 2026.

What the MOU-6 Test Recovered

Predator Oil & Gas is a Jersey-domiciled upstream company with producing assets in Trinidad and exploration and appraisal assets in Morocco and Ireland. The well was perforated over 19.8 metres of the upper TGB-6 Fan, between 825.7 and 845.5 metres. A nitrogen lift recovered only diesel and brine from the completion fluid, with no inflow from the formation.

A formation pressure of 1,195 psi was recorded at 813.27 metres, though the reading had not fully stabilised. Final processed logs showed much lower permeability, gas saturation and porosity than at MOU-1, MOU-3 and MOU-4, and correlated closely with the well's performance. Collapsed perforation tunnels were highlighted as a possible cause, while severe formation damage was considered unlikely.

"We are naturally disappointed that MOU-6 has not delivered in line with pre-drill expectations," said Paul Griffiths, Chief Executive Officer. "However, the first successful perforation of the target formation and the well data collected is invaluable in terms of helping to calibrate the potential for gas interpreted by NuTech log analysis in MOU-1, MOU-3 and MOU-4."

Predator's Morocco Funding and Licence Position

According to akta.pro company records, Predator raised £3 million in May 2026 through a placing of 85.7 million new shares at 3.5p each to fund expanded Trinidad, Morocco and Ireland operations, including well development, reactivation work and gas-to-power feasibility studies. The same records show the company commenced the fully-funded MOU-5 drilling campaign in Morocco in February 2025, targeting Jurassic gas potential between 800 and 1,200 metres depth with associated helium potential and P50 gross recoverable prospective resources of approximately 5.9 TCF. ONHYM, Morocco's state oil company, holds a 25% interest in the Guercif Licence, with Predator holding a 75% working interest and ONHYM carried through the exploration phase.

Earlier Steps Toward MOU-6

In August 2026, Predator reported £1.52 million ($2.06 million) in net petroleum revenue for the first half of 2026, selling 52,130 barrels from Trinidad fields, and said civil engineering for its MOU-6 well pad in Morocco was complete, Morocco World News reported. The same outlet reported earlier that month that Predator was advancing preparations for the MOU-6 drilling location, with operations expected to be completed by early November. In October 2026, Predator announced its AGM presentation ahead of the meeting, highlighting its onshore Moroccan gas exposure and Trinidad oil assets, according to Advfn.

Predator's Planned Next Steps

Having now drilled six wells, Predator's next steps include well interventions to test the unconventional gas case, deepening MOU-5 to the Triassic to assess thermogenic gas and associated helium, and evaluating the Jurassic in the licence's western part. The company said further drilling and 2D and 3D seismic would be needed, and that it intends to bring in a partner to fund and take exploration forward.