Touchstone Exploration Reports Successful Cascadura-5 Drilling Results in Trinidad

Drilling Success in Trinidad: Cascadura-5 Hits the Mark

Touchstone Exploration just dropped a significant operational update on their Cascadura-5 well in Trinidad, and frankly, it’s the kind of news energy investors love to see. The AIM-listed explorer (Ticker: TXP) has successfully drilled and cased its latest development well on the Ortoire block – hitting hydrocarbon sands that exceeded pre-drill expectations. Here’s why this matters.

The Core Details: What Cas-5 Achieved

• Location: Ortoire block, onshore Trinidad (Touchstone: 80% operator; Heritage Petroleum: 20%)
• Timeline: Spudded June 4, 2025; reached total depth of 7,020 feet in just 22 days
• Target: Herrera Gr7bc sands – the heart of the Cascadura structure
• Key Result: Encountered ~620 feet of gross sand – 300 feet updip of the 2024 Cascadura-2 well

Critically, the well was drilled deeper than originally planned (6,654 feet) due to “encouraging hydrocarbon shows” in drill cuttings and mud logs. Wireline data later confirmed the presence of hydrocarbon-bearing sands throughout the primary target interval. That’s what we call a geological hat-trick.

Operational Excellence: On Time, On Budget

CEO Paul Baay’s commentary is notably upbeat – and with good reason. Despite extending the well depth, Cas-5 was delivered:

• On schedule (22 days from spud to completion)
• On budget (field-estimated cost: ~US$5 million)

Baay credits the success to the new drilling team’s performance and tech upgrades like synthetic oil-based mud and managed pressure drilling. Most tellingly? “No material issues during drilling” – a welcome shift from past challenges.

What Comes Next: The Road to Production

Touchstone isn’t resting on its laurels. The immediate plan is pragmatic: