InterOil makes improved test of Antelope-2

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Jan. 12 -- InterOil Corp., Cairns, said the Antelope-2 well in Papua New Guinea flowed at a stabilized rate of 11 MMcfd through a 48/64-in. choke in the last 7 hr of a second drill stem test, and the condensate-to-gas ratio (CGR) averaged 20.7 bbl/MMcf of natural gas.

This represents a 15% increase in CGR from the first drill stem test at the top of the reservoir, officials said.

Prior to the second test, casing was set to a depth of 7,290 ft, short of total depth of 7,415 ft due to an impassable ledge. The well subsequently was drilled an additional 213 ft, and the second test was made with a packer inside the casing shoe over the 338 ft open hole section from 7,290 ft.

Another drill stem test is planned in the lower section of the open hole. Workers will then drill and core to the targeted heavier condensate and potential oil zone where the company expects to perform additional tests and formation evaluation. Following testing and logging of the lower vertical section of the wellbore, InterOil plans to drill a horizontal lateral to explore a potential oil zone.

Phil Mulacek, InterOil chief executive officer, said, “We anticipate that the higher condensate ratio [in the second test] of the Antelope structure will improve the previously estimated economics of the stripping plant proposed to be constructed in the Gulf Province.”