Beach Energy Flows Gas from Cooper Basin Well

Beach Energy has commenced gas flow from its Moonta-1 unconventional gas exploration well in the Cooper Basin. The well is currently flowing at the rate of 1.1 million cubic feet per day.

The well reached total depth at 3,810 metres after which a ten stage fracture stimulation program was completed, with nine stages in the deeper Patchawarra Formation and one in the shallower Murteree Shale.  Flow testing is planned to continue for at least one month, after which the well will be shut-in to allow for the monitoring of pressure build up and stimulation of the shallower zones at a later date.

The other well, Holdfast-2, will be drilled horizontally through the Murteree Shale and is located approximately one kilometre north-east of Holdfast-1.  The well is being drilled vertically for approximately three kilometres and, early in the new year, will commence drilling laterally for approximately 1.6 kilometres.  It is anticipated that the well will take two and a half months to reach total depth, after which it will be fracture stimulated around April 2013.  The fracture stimulation of Holdfast-2 is planned to be 15 stages, with pumping rates of 80 barrels per minute targeted for each stage.