By the OGJ Online Staff
HOUSTON, Feb. 13 -- Apache Corp., Houston, has a discovery in the Carnarvon basin off Western Australia.
Apache said this is its fourth commercial find there in the last year.
Apache said Double Island-1 well found 51 ft of net oil column in the Lower Cretaceous Flag Sand. A wireline test found the oil to be 51°-gravity. Apache did not flow test the well because the Flag sandstone's deliverability has been well established in nearby producing fields.
The well is owned by the Harriet Joint Venture, which Apache operates with a 68.5% working interest. Partners are Kufpec Australia Pty. Ltd. with 19.3% and Tap Oil Ltd. with 12.2%.
Apache said the Harriet complex is averaging 22,000 b/d of oil, 95% of which is from the Flag Sand.
"Double Island is another example of our improved ability to identify smaller Cretaceous Flag accumulations as a result of our recent 3D seismic coverage and processing techniques in the area," said Regional Vice-Pres. Jim Bass. "We expect to drill four more Flag exploration prospects in the area within the next 45 days."
Initial oil production from the joint venture's South Plato-Gibson Flag discoveries made last year is expected around midyear at the rate of 10,000 b/d. Preliminary plans call for connecting Double Island to the South Plato-Gibson facilities 4 miles away. The oil will then flow to Apache's processing facilities at the Harriet complex on Varanus Island.