Texaco Inc. and partners said Thursday they have two gas discoveries in the Northern Carnarvon basin off Western Australia.
The Iago-1, on exploration permit WA-25-P, and the Io-1 on permit WA-267-P follow the discoveries Geryon (1999), Orthrus (1999), Urania (2000), Maenad (2000), and Jansz (2000) made by Texaco and its partners in the same area adjacent to the giant Gorgon gas field.
Bruce Appelbaum, president of exploration and new ventures for Texaco, said, "These discoveries add to the resources of the greater Gorgon gas fields and to the potential viability of a future commercial project off the coast of Australia. Iago-1 and Io-1 also demonstrate Texaco's commitment to a strategy of growing our resource base by building a portfolio dominated by large, long-life projects.''
The Iago-1 well was drilled to 11,100 ft TD in 387 ft of water. Logs and formation tests confirmed hydrocarbons in the Triassic Mungaroo. The well was plugged Jan. 3. The Io-1 well was drilled to 9,941 ft TD in 4,436 ft of water. It was plugged Jan. 14.
Texaco Australia Pty Ltd. holds 28.6% in WA-25-P and 25% in WA-267-P. Partners are Chevron Australia Pty. Ltd. (the operator), Mobil Australia Resources Co. Pty. Ltd., and Shell Development (Australia) Pty. Ltd. BP Exploration (Alpha) Ltd. participates in WA-267-P only.