Australia's WestSide suspends Galilee drilling

Due to the onset of the summer wet weather season in the region WestSide has suspended operations Glenlyon-2 coalbed methane and expects coring to recommence when the drilling program resumes in March-April next year, the company said Wednesday.

The well, which lies in ATP 974P, had been drilled to a total depth 1222 metres and intersected more than 10.8 metres of gross coal measured before the decision was made to halt operations.

WestSide said the well had intersected about 80 metres of the of Betts Creek formation but had not yet reached the target horizon, the Aramac coal measures.

Glenlyon-2 is the second well in a four well exploration programme investigating the hydrocarbon potential of the Permian-age Betts Creek and Aramac Coal measures in the Galilee basin.

The first well of the campaign, Glenlyon-1, was plugged and abandoned after an obstruction in the well at 1101 metres prevented drilling deeper.

Westside is operator of ATP 974P and holds a 51% stake with Japan’s Mitusi holding the remaining 49% interest.