Perth basin shale, tight sand gas flows please AWE

Sept. 3, 2012
AWE Ltd., Sydney, said tight sandstone reservoirs flowed gas at a rate estimated at 500 Mcfd during initial clean-up after a hydraulic frac at the Senecio-2 well in the onshore Perth basin in Western Australia.

AWE Ltd., Sydney, said tight sandstone reservoirs flowed gas at a rate estimated at 500 Mcfd during initial clean-up after a hydraulic frac at the Senecio-2 well in the onshore Perth basin in Western Australia.

To date, two zones in Woodada Deep-1 well, two zones in the Arrowsmith-2 well, and the planned zone in Senecio-2 have been stimulated, all with promising results, AWE said. The Arrowsmith-2 joint venture is preparing to stimulate two zones in the Permian Carynginia shale.

Senecio-2 was stimulated at 2,643-85 m targeting the Permian Wagina and Triassic Dongara tight sandstone reservoir and is still cleaning up. Calculated rates of as much as 500 Mcfd are being flared with increasing recorded flowing pressures.

Post-frac stimulation flow potential will be known after all fluid has been recovered, expected in 2 weeks. AWE and Origin Energy Resources Ltd. share Senecio-2 interests 50-50.

Meanwhile, AWE successful stimulated the 100% owned Woodada Deep-1 well in middle and upper Carynginia shales at 2,370-2,425 m and 2,283-2,314 m, respectively (OGJ Online, Aug. 13, 2012).

Microseismic data were acquired during the Upper Carynginia stimulation using the adjacent Woodada-14 well as an observation point. The microseismic data will assist in assessing fracture type and density.

Initial well clean-up and flowback from the two zones began Aug. 10 with gas recovered and flared. Coiled tubing and nitrogen lift were used until Aug. 16, and AWE plans to rig up wireline swabbing equipment to complete clean-up.

Meanwhile, Norwest Energy NL, operator with 28% interest in Arrowsmith-2, has successfully flowed gas from after stimulations in both the Permian High Cliff sandstone and the overlying Permian Irwin River coal measures. AWE, participating with 44% interest, has previously reported that the High Cliff sandstone gas flow rate peaked at 780 Mcfd and averaged 450 Mcfd during initial flowback.

Flowback from Irwin River is being concluded, and the zone will be isolated in preparation for stimulation of the Lower and Middle Carynginia. The Triassic Kockatea shale interval, at a shallower level, is also planned to be tested during the current campaign. Bharat PetroResources Ltd. has a 27.8% interest.