Project Hotspot Status: On 8 December 2011 we suspended drilling operations for the remainder of the year, after pulling back the NQ drill rods into the temporary casing (HQ rods). Current depth is 5496 feet below surface (1675 meters) at 122ºC. The USAF has made a supplemental funding request to continue drilling past 1828.8 meters. If successful we begin drilling again in early January; if not, we will log the lower part of the hole with open hole tools, then insert 2-3/8" liner to run the temperature through. We plan to let hole equilibrate for 4-5 months before we pull all casing and drill rods, and plug the hole. Stand by for more updates after the holidays.