Penola Trough Results Favorable From Otway Basin Exploratory
Drilling Activity Details
Drilling Activity Summary
Description
According to operator Beach Energy Ltd., the company has identified the potential for a new deep-basin gas play in the Penola Trough. An Otway Basin exploration well, #1-Jolly in PEL495, was drilled to 4,026 m and recovered 26.7 m of core in Lower Sawpit and 51.7 m of core in Casteron. Elevated mud gas readings were observed over a gross 340-m interval of Lower Sawpit Shale (3,430 m to 3,770 m), which contains extensive sandstone intervals. The #1-Jolly is the first of two deep wells targeting Casteron within the trough. The venture is being plugged and abandoned. The rig has been moved to drill the 3,677-m #1-Bungaloo in the PRL32 permit area and will also target Casteron and a secondary target, Lower Sawpit. Conventional cores from this well and the #1-Jolly will be analysed for distribution, maturity and characteristics of the formation. Beach is the operator of PEL495 and the #1-Jolly and #1-Bungaloo with a 70 per cent interest in partnership with Cooper Energy holding the remaining 30 per cent.
According to operator Beach Energy Ltd., the company has identified the potential for a new deep-basin gas play in the Penola Trough. An Otway Basin exploration well, #1-Jolly in PEL495, was drilled to 4,026 m and recovered 26.7 m of core in Lower Sawpit and 51.7 m of core in Casteron. Elevated mud gas readings were observed over a gross 340-m interval of Lower Sawpit Shale (3,430 m to 3,770 m), which contains extensive sandstone intervals. The #1-Jolly is the first of two deep wells targeting Casteron within the trough. The venture is being plugged and abandoned. The rig has been moved to drill the 3,677-m #1-Bungaloo in the PRL32 permit area and will also target Casteron and a secondary target, Lower Sawpit. Conventional cores from this well and the #1-Jolly will be analysed for distribution, maturity and characteristics of the formation. Beach is the operator of PEL495 and the #1-Jolly and #1-Bungaloo with a 70 per cent interest in partnership with Cooper Energy holding the remaining 30 per cent.