The Vintage Energy group has reported a strong gas flare during the flow-back of stimulation fluid at its Vali-1 ST1 well in the Cooper basin of southwest Queensland during flow test preparations (OGJ Online, June 30, 2020).
Vintage said the gas stream was diverted through a separator with the rate steadily increasing during the flow-back period.
Gas flow rate reached 3.7 MMcfd through a 38/64-in. choke at a wellhead pressure of 800 psi.
Vintage plans to increase the choke size when it begins the flow test the week of Aug. 10 once sufficient flow-back of stimulation fluids has been achieved.
Fracture stimulation of the sidetrack well was completed in the five sections of the Patchawarra formation as well as one in the underlying Tirrawarra Sandstone (both of Permian age).
During testing a production logging tool will be used to determine the gas contribution of each of the stimulated zones.
The well will be cycled through equal periods of shut-in and flow at various flow rates and followed by an extended flow test of about 2 days. Gas samples will be taken.
Vali gas field, in permit ATP 2021, is operated by Vintage with 50% interest. Metgasco and Bridgeport Energy each hold 25%.