Santos Ltd. has flowed gas to surface from two horizontal wells during an extended test of the Mid-Velkerri B shale reservoir in permit 161 in the Beetaloo subbasin onshore Northern territory.
Results for the Tanumbirini 2H and 3H wells have been encouraging over an initial 30-day period following 11-stage (for T2H) and 10-stage (for T3H) fracture stimulation campaigns, partner Tamboran Resources Ltd. said.
T2H peaked at 4 MMcfd of gas after a weather-related shut-in mid-January. The well has stabilized at a 14-day average of 1.7 MMcfd over a 600 m unoptimized fracture stimulated horizontal section (normalized at 2.6 MMcfd over 1,000 m).
T3H peaked at 10 MMcfd following the same weather-related shut-ins and planned maintenance. The well has stabilized at a 10-day average of 1.5 MMcfd over 600 m unoptimized fracture stimulated horizontal section (normalized at 2.5 MMcfd over 1,000 m).
Incorporating the results from the previous Tanumbirini-1 vertical well with T2H and T3H, Tamboran said it has developed an independent model into optimizing effective fracture stimulation within the Mid-Velkerri B shale formation.
The modelling indicates the shale section can flow more than 5 MMcfd per 1,000 m. The figure was verified by Subsurface Dynamics Inc.
The same modelling is planned to maximize design efficiency of fracture stimulation of the Maverick-1H well to be drilled this year.
The JV will continue the T2H and T3H flow test program to gather more information on the reservoir.
Santos is operator of the permit with 75% interest. Tamboran holds 25%.