The Halifax-1 well, located in ATP 855 onshore Australia, which commenced the constrained flowback of gas and stimulation fluid in early February 2013, is now flowing gas at 3.2 MMcf/d through a 40/64-in. choke, Beach Energy Ltd. said in a press release. Beach is operator of ATP 855 with a 60% interest, with partner Icon Energy Ltd. (40%).

The constrained rate is due to temperature restrictions on elements of the surface equipment, and the company said the choke will be further opened as the ratio of gas to fluid in the wellstream increases.

The well reached total depth at 4,267 m (14,000 ft), after which a 14-stage fracture stimulation program was completed through the whole of the gas-saturated Permian target zone. Seven stages were completed in the deeper Patchawarra formation, one in the Murteree shale, two in the Epsilon formation, two in the Roseneath shale, one in the Daralingie formation, and one in the Toolachee formation, the company said.