Santos Ltd., Adelaide, has completed the acquisition of 1,337 km of seismic data in Amadeus basin permits EP82, EP112, and EP125 in the Northern Territory as part of Stage 2 of its farm-in to the acreage held by Central Petroleum Ltd., Brisbane.
The results of the seismic program have induced Santos to proceed to Stage 3 of the farm-in arrangement, which includes the drilling of a well in EP112 to earn a 70% interest in that permit.
Santos is expected to drill the Dukas prospect during first-quarter 2019, carrying Central’s cost as part of the deal.
The prospect has the potential to hold multiple trillion cubic feet of gas. Two earlier wells in this southern part of the Amadeus (Mt. Kitty and Magee) have indicated the presence of a hydrocarbon system. The presence of helium and hydrogen in the earlier wells has the potential to add further value to any success at Dukas.
Santos has elected to remain at a 40% interest in EP82, EP105, and EP106 with no further farmout work to be completed. Central will retain 60% interest in these permits.