BP plugs Ironbark wildcat as duster

BP has plugged wildcat Ironbark-1, in the Carnarvon basin offshore Western Australia. The well was dry.

Ironbark-1, in exploration permit WA-359-P, intersected the primary Mungaroo formation target at a depth of 5,275 m subsea, but “no significant hydrocarbon shows were encountered in any of the target reservoir sands,” said partner Cue Energy in a release Dec. 29, 2020. Total depth reached 5,618 m.

Original license holder Cue Energy Resources Ltd. completed a farm-out of the permit in June 2019 estimating that up to 15 tcf could be found in the prospect. Its proximity to the Woodside Petroleum-operated North Rankin platform and facilities enhanced its possible development potential.

BP, which farmed in to take 42.5% and operatorship, began drilling the well at the end of October 2020 using Diamond Offshore’s semi-submersible rig Ocean Apex. Cue Energy holds 21.5%, Beach Energy Ltd. holds 21%, and New Zealand Oil and Gas Ltd. holds 15%.