By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Sept. 20 -- Victoria Petroleum NL, Perth, began flowing its Ventura-1 oil discovery at 165 b/d in the South Australian Eromanga basin.
The well, in permit PEL 115, was put on pump in an extended production test. The initial flow rate is expected to increase as the company optimizes pumping parameters from the Mesozoic-age basal Murta and Namur reservoirs.
Ventura is 4.5 km west of Victoria's other recent discovery, Mirage-1, which is currently flowing at a natural rate of 180 b/d but also will be put on pump in October.
Victoria plans to drill three more wells in Mirage field by the end of this year, following interpretation of a 3D seismic survey now being run over the area. Success in these three wells could bring Mirage production up to 1,000 b/d and the total from the block to around 1,200 b/d.
Victoria is operator with 40% interest. Other interest holders are Impress Ventures Ltd., Perth (27.5%), Roma Petroleum NL, Brisbane (20%), and Entek Energy Ltd., Perth (12.5%).
