The Bauer oil field in PEL 91 has increased in size after the Bauer-12 appraisal well encountered oil, Beach Energy said in a news release. The well intersected the primary Namur Sandstone target 3 m (10 ft) high to prognosis, with 5 m (16 ft) of net oil pay. An additional 4-m (13 ft) oil-bearing interval also was intersected in the overlying McKinlay Member.

These results have extended the areal extent of the field, with preliminary mapping adding 2.5 MMbbl to the 2P reserves of Bauer, Beach said in the release. As a result, Bauer-12 will be cased and suspended as a future oil producer.

Beach, the operator, holds 40% interest, and Drillsearch Energy Ltd. holds 60% interest.

Bauer is the largest field on the Western Flank of the Cooper basin and is producing from eight wells in both the McKinlay and Namur reservoirs, with three further wells yet to come on line, the release said. Production from Bauer is currently in excess of 13,000 b/d (gross). With the flowline from Bauer to Lycium having a capacity of up to 10,500 b/d of oil, there are around seven trucks operational to ensure all production is delivered to the Moomba facility.

Following the completion of the evaluation program, the Ensign 930 rig will be moved to the Bauer-13 development well, which is located approximately 1.4 km (.9 mile) southeast of Bauer-12.