Flow test from Dorado appraisal well ‘exceeds expectations’

A joint venture of Santos Ltd. and Carnarvon Petroleum Ltd. reported a successful first test flow from the Dorado-3 appraisal well in permit WA-437-P in the Bedout subbasin off Western Australia.

Operator Santos said the test exceeded expectations for the secondary Baxter reservoir.

The JV said the initial clean-up rate for the Baxter Member reservoir was conducted during a 12-hr period with the flow rate constrained by surface well test equipment. The rate achieved measured 48 MMcfd of gas and 4,500 b/d of condensate through a 60/64-in. choke.

The test was run over a 7.4 m interval of net Baxter reservoir. Importantly there was only 150 psi drawdown.

The Baxter underlies the main Caley reservoir, which will be the focus of the next test.

Kevin Gallagher, Santos managing director and chief executive officer, said the Baxter test exceeded pretest expectations. He added that the flow rate confirms the JV’s interpretation of a high-quality reservoir and excellent productivity and condensate-rich gas with low levels of impurities.

In addition, the measured rates being constrained by surface equipment indicated the reservoir has the capacity to flow at much higher rates.

The gas-condensate compositions from the Baxter test were in line with expectations with about 2-5% basic sediments and water. Carbon dioxide content was about 1.5%.

The Baxter formation will now be isolated, and preparations will begin for the Caley test. The JV anticipates those results will be available about the beginning of October.

Dorado-3 was drilled to a total depth of 4,643 m by the Noble Tom Prosser jack up drilling rig in 95 m of water 900 m northwest of the Dorado-1 discovery well and 160 km north of Port Hedland.

Santos has 80% interest and Carnarvon, 20%.