Empire Energy Ltd., Sydney, encountered strong gas flows in a test program of two wells in permit EP187 in the Beetaloo subbasin of the Northern Territory. The work is progress toward a final investment decision (FID) for the planned pilot project.
The Carpentaria-3H horizontal well has been flow tested for 27 days and is currently shut in for fracture stimulation. Gas production of 2.3-5.7 MMcfd has been observed in the first month with an average flow of 2.6 MMcfd. Higher flow rates are probable once the well is reopened, the company said.
Carpentaria-2H was brought back on line following a shut in and has sustained a gas flow rate of 3.24 MMcfd for 8 days (normalized rate of 3.5 MMcfd per 1,000 m). The test is over the 927-m fracture-stimulated horizontal section. Results are about 21% higher than the flow prior to shut-in with a lower decline rate, the company said.
Empire plans to continue testing Carpentaria-2H to develop an early production-type curve to be incorporated into the ongoing front-end engineering and design process. FID for a pilot project is expected later this year.
At the Carpentaria-4V vertical well, petrophysical data confirmed net pay in the Middle Velkerri B reservoir is 20% greater and 150 m deeper than at Carpentaria-2H/-3H. The results will be factored into an updated independent resource assessment that should be complete by end-March.