Virtus Oil and Gas Corp. announced Sept. 2 an update on its operations in southern Utah.

The Houston-based company said it spud the conductor hole at the Lone Pine 34-11-5 well in southern Utah on Aug. 25.

Virtus is currently focused on the Parowan Project, which is a prospect comprised of a 55,477 acre tract in the Central Utah Overthrust region of southwestern Utah in Iron County.

Energy Drilling Co.'s Rig 8 has been assembled onsite and initiated formal operations on Aug. 31.

As of Sept. 1, the rig spud the surface hole and reached a depth of 600 feet. Over the next five to seven days, Rig 8 will continue to drill towards a targeted total vertical depth of 7,000 feet.

Once Rig 8 reaches total depth, an additional five to seven days will be required to complete the initial test well. The time it takes to complete the well is dependent on the results of potential oil shows from the Jurassic-age zones.

The well's surface casing was run and cemented in place by Baker Hughes Inc. (BHI).

After the cement has set, aided by an accelerator to speed up to the process, Virtus will conduct a Formation Integrity Test (FIT). This is a test of the strength and integrity of the casing cement.