Drillsearch production restarts at Flax oil and gas field

Drillsearch Energy Limited has announced that it has restarted oil production from the Flax facility in PRL 14 in the Cooper Basin.

The Flax-3 well restarted production on 16 December 2014 at an initial rate of 190 bbls of light, volatile oil and 3.62 million standard ft³ of natural gas a day on a 13/64 in. choke. Long-term production rates from the Flax facility have yet to be determined and will depend on the installation of artificial lift and the addition of further wells.

Oil from Flax is currently being pumped into storage tanks pending the imminent commencement of trucking and sales. The gas is currently being flared, though Drillsearch plans to use the gas to power generators at the Flax facility and is evaluating options for commercialisation through connection to the nearby Santos-operated gathering infrastructure.

The minor refurbishment of the site, and the recertification of the Flax facility by the South Australian government, were completed earlier this month. Following the restart of production, the Flax-4 and Flax-6 wells will now also be allowed to flow into the production facility.

The Flax oil field, located approximately 40km northeast of Innamincka, was discovered in 2004. Production was suspended in late 2012 by Acer Energy. Since then, the field has remained shut in as part of a prudent reservoir management plan aimed at optimising future production and ultimate field recovery.

Drillsearch Managing Director Brad Lingo said: “The restart of Flax represents Drillsearch’s first operated oil production. This is a significant milestone for the company following our technical work post the acquisition of Acer, and the first step in the company’s assessment of the long-term Flax redevelopment.”

Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/exploration/19122014/drillsearch-production-restarts-flax-oil-gas-field/