Australia: Next Officer basin exploratory well spuds

Nov. 3, 2011
Rodinia Oil Corp., Calgary, has spudded the Kutjara-1 exploratory well that targets multiple Neoproterozoic formations in the nonproducing Officer basin in South Australia.

Rodinia Oil Corp., Calgary, has spudded the Kutjara-1 exploratory well that targets multiple Neoproterozoic formations in the nonproducing Officer basin in South Australia.

Kutjara-1 is projected to 2,668 m in west-central PEL 253 and 45 km southeast of Rodinia’s first well, Mulyawara-1. Rodinia is operator with 80% working interest.

The structure, 3 by 12 km on 2D seismic, is offset by several other large closed structures that could be drilled if the Kutjara well is successful.

Based on lessons learned at Mulyawara-1, Kutjara-1 will be a smaller diameter hole, drilled with polycrystalline diamond compact bits rather than tricone bits, with fewer casing strings. Eliminating the air pack-hammer drill assembly will reduce damage to the bottomhole assembly and reduce related twist offs, fishing runs, and tripping time, the company said.