Australia: Exoma spuds Galilee basin shale core hole

June 20, 2012
Exoma Energy Ltd., Brisbane, has spudded the second well of the Galilee Joint Venture’s 2012 exploration program.

Exoma Energy Ltd., Brisbane, has spudded the second well of the Galilee Joint Venture’s 2012 exploration program.

Darr-1, 40 km north of Longreach, Qld., is a core hole to sample shale oil and gas in the Toolebuc shale, expected at 593 m. Analysis of the core will provide information on the distribution of properties needed to appraise the shale resource identified by the Bessies, Euston, and Katherine wells in 2011.

The well has been located to provide a low-cost secondary test of the southern extent of Permian coal measures in ATP 1005P by quickly rotary drilling to basement after coring the Toolebuc shale. Top of coal is expected at 1,046 m. Planned total depth is 1,120 m.

No coal is expected to be encountered, but the log data will provide confirmation of the structural geology that affects the Bradley Creek-1 coal seam gas well to be drilled later in this year. The well is designed for shale exploration and will be plugged and abandoned.