Waitsa-2 success

AWE Limited, the operator of permits L1/L2 in the Perth Basin, Western Australia, advises that the Waitsia-2 appraisal well reached total depth (TD) of 3530 m measured depth below rotary table (MDRT) at 04:30 hours (4:30am) AWST on 26 July 2015 and preparations are now underway to commence a wireline logging program. All target formations were successfully intersected. Total depth was achieved 16 m into the NangettyFormation, which was intersected at 3514m MDRT. Three sections of core were cut in the primary target, the Kingia and High Cliff Sandstones. Core 1 was cut from 3154 m to 3209 m; Core 2 was cut from 3209 m to 3264 m; and Core 3 was cut from 3264m to 3327m MDRT. All cores will be sent for analysis.

Elevated gas shows were observed in the primary target Kingia and High Cliff Sandstones as well as the Carynginia Shale and Irwin River Coal Measures.The Waitsia-2 well was spudded on 28 June 2015 and is forecast to take approximately 7 weeks in total to complete. The well is designed to test thegas potential in the southern extension of the Waitsia Field, comprising primary targets in the deep conventional formations in the Kingia and High CliffSandstones.

If the results are positive, AWE may undertake a flow test of the Waitsia-2 well and the well may be completed as a production well for a potential future field development. The approved work program for the Waitsia-2 appraisal well does not include hydraulic fracture stimulation.The Waitsia-2 appraisal well is located on agricultural land approximately 16.5 km east-southeast of Dongara, Western Australia, and 5.6 km south-southwest of Waitsia-1. The well is the last of a 3 week drilling programme planned for the Perth Basin in 2015.

The joint venture partners in L1/L2 are:
• AWE Limited (via subsidiaries) (Operator) 50.0%
• Origin Energy Resources Limited 50.0%

About the Waitsia gas field

The Waitsia discovery was announced on 2 September 2014 while drilling the Senecio-3 well and has the potential to be the largest onshore conventional gas discovery in Western Australia in the last 50 years. AWE’s initial estimates for the Waitsia gas field comprise gross 2C contingent resources of 290 Bcf in the Kingia/High Cliff sandstone formations.

Edited from a press release by Louise Mulhall

Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/drilling-and-production/27072015/waitsia-2-appraisal-well-reaches-total-depth/