Santos adds gas discoveries in Australia

Santos Ltd. has made three gas discoveries in early November in various parts of Australia. Electric logs of the Reindeer 1 wildcat in the northern Carnarvon basin offshore on permit WA-209-P indicated 65 m of net pay at 2,409-95 m. Gas samples were recovered, and core, log, and pressure data suggest the presence of an excellent mid-Jurassic age reservoir. These results eliminated the need for well testing.

Nov. 24, 1997

2 min read

Santos Ltd. has made three gas discoveries in early November in various parts of Australia.

Electric logs of the Reindeer 1 wildcat in the northern Carnarvon basin offshore on permit WA-209-P indicated 65 m of net pay at 2,409-95 m.

Gas samples were recovered, and core, log, and pressure data suggest the presence of an excellent mid-Jurassic age reservoir. These results eliminated the need for well testing.

Reindeer field appears to be relatively small, probably 200 bcf of reserves, and unlikely to be economic on its own. Santos is studying options, including the supply of gas to nearby offshore oil developments for use in field operations.

Santos revealed two Cooper/Eromanga basin discoveries in Southwest Queensland.

The Costa Central 1 flowed 1.53 MMcfd of gas on a 1/2 in. choke with 148 b/d of 43.3° gravity condensate from Permian Patchawarra. Site is 2 km southwest of Costa field and 16 km east of Ballera gas center.

The Whanto 1 flowed 4 MMcfd on a 1/2 in. choke from Permian Toolachee. The well is 47 km south of Marama gas field and 110 km north-northeast of Ballera.

Whanto is significant in that it is the second on the sparsely explored Wareena Block. It lifts the region's potential for further discoveries.

Whanto 1 is Santos' 13th successful gas exploratory well this year in the region, where the company's success rate is more than 71% this year.

Santos was drilling 3 more wildcats and planned to spud 6 more by yearend.