Rick Wilkinson
OGJ Correspondent
MELBOURNE, Mar. 28 -- Adelaide-based junior Sapex Ltd. has signed a contract with Terrex Seismic to shoot a seismic survey in the Arkaringa basin in South Australia beginning in late April.
The 6-week program, comprising 428 km of 2D survey onshore, will be the first seismic work in the basin since the early 1980s when the Santos-Delhi group held permits in the region.
Sapex said this week that half of the program will provide detailed coverage over two key portions of the Boorthanna Trough, where interpretation of previous data indicated several prospects and leads.
The company anticipates that the work will identify locations suitable for exploration drilling. Sapex plans to spud two wells before the end of this year, subject to the seismic results and its ability to secure a suitable rig.
The second part of the survey will be a regional program to determine the southward extension of the Boorthanna Trough.
Sapex holds 100% interest in seven permits totaling 65,000 sq km and covering virtually the entire Arkaringa basin.
In addition to conventional petroleum work, Sapex has announced a farmin by Sydney-based Eastern Star Gas Ltd. to undertake the first coal seam methane investigation in the basin's coal measures.
