Rick Wilkinson
OGJ Correspondent
MELBOURNE, Dec. 3 -- The Shell Australia-operated Libra-1 wildcat, which was drilled in Browse basin in Permit AC/P41 off Western Australia, has found natural gas in a series of thick sand packages over a 180-m gross vertical section, according to Melbourne-based partner Nexus Energy Ltd.
Further wireline logging and pressure data is required to confirm reservoir quality, column height, and hydrocarbon composition, Nexus said.
Libra-1 was spudded in early November by Diamond Offshore Drilling Inc.'s Ocean Epoch semisubmersible rig in early November and has reached a depth of 3,918 m.
The well is evaluating the exploration potential surrounding the Crux field in the adjoining permit.
Shell holds 65%. Partners are Mitsui with 20% and Nexus with 15%.