By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, May 10 -- Apache Corp. reported May 1 that its Julimar Northwest-1 exploration well on Australia's Northwest Shelf logged 43 ft of net pay in the J-17 Triassic Mungaroo sandstone.
"Apache has now drilled six successful exploration wells on Permit WA-356-P, validating the geophysical techniques used to identify natural gas-bearing stratigraphic traps," said Apache Pres. and Chief Executive G. Steven Farris.
"We are planning to drill three additional wells on the block during 2008," Farris said, adding that the well "further strengthens our belief that the ultimate size of this gas accumulation is in the range of 2-4 tcf."
The J-17 sand is also present in the Julimar-1 discovery well 2 miles to the southeast. Julimar-1 encountered 132 ft of net pay in four zones, including 42 ft in the J-17 sand.
Seismic, log, and pressure data indicate that the J-17 gas pay encountered in Julimar Northwest-1 is in communication with and connected to the upper pay zone intersected in Julimar-1 and Julimar East-1, which is 4 miles from the latest well.
The average porosity and permeability of the gas pay intersected in Julimar Northwest-1 is of higher quality than the equivalent zone in Julimar-1, which tested at an equipment-limited rate of 42 MMcfd of gas and 627 b/d of condensate.
The Julimar-1 discovery tested a total of 85 MMcfd from two zones.
Apache owns a 65% interest in the 239,440-acre block; Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Co. (Kufpec) owns the remaining 35%.
