CNOOC Galilee Gas Co. Pty. Ltd. has drilled the Scotty Creek-1 shale exploratory well on ATP 1005P in Queensland to 996.7 m and chip-sampled a 40-m section of the Early Cretaceous Toolebuc shale formation.
Shale samples will be subject to geochemical analysis. The data from this well forms part of the Galilee Joint Venture’s assessment of the extent of maturity of the Toolebuc shale as an oil and gas resource.
The well was deepened to test for the presence of Jurassic Hutton and Adori sandstones as a potential oil play, but these sandstones were not present at this location (OGJ Online, Dec. 9, 2011).
CNOOC cased the well, suspended it as a potential water source for future drilling on the block, and released the rig to move to the Rocky Creek-1 shale core well in ATP 999P.
CNOOC Galilee is earning its participating interest in five blocks held by Exoma Energy Ltd., Brisbane, by providing the first $50 million of joint venture spending. Exoma has a 50% beneficial interest in both ATP 1005P and the Scotty Creek-1 well.
