Santos, Bengal JV to plug Legbar-1 exploration well

Following a review of well logs, Santos QNT Pty Ltd. will plug the completed Legbar-1 well in ATP 934 in the Cooper Basin, Queensland, Australia, and refine exploration targets going forward, partner Bengal Energy Ltd. said in a release Oct. 14.  

The well, which lies in a 420-square-km block in the southern portion of the block, intersected good quality reservoir sands within the primary Permian Toolachee formation, but the sands contained insufficient levels of hydrocarbon pay for commercialization.

The joint venture remains focused on evaluating the Permian natural gas prospective potential of the Santos-operated farm-in block, based on the learnings from the well (OGJ Online, July 29, 2020).

Santos paid 100% of the costs to drill, plug, and abandon the well and has earned a 60% working interest in the Santos farm-in block as operator. Bengal holds a 40% working interest in the Santos farm-in block and holds 100% interest in the balance of ATP 934 and the surrounding Petroleum Leases PL 188, 411, 1109, and 1110.

While Legbar-1 did not indicate commercial quantities of hydrocarbons, thick, high quality reservoir sands were encountered in the primary Permian Toolachee formation with evidence of residual hydrocarbon saturation. Good fluorescence shows and elevated gas readings through the Jurassic lower Birkhead formation-Top Hutton Sandstone indicate oil has passed through the reservoir, supporting the search for a valid closure to test the play, Bengal said.