Beach Energy Flows Gas From Encounter-1

Beach Energy has said that after the completion of fracture stimulation, the Encounter-1 well has started flowing gas at the rate in excess of 500,000 scfd.  This flow is expected to improve as the well is further opened up and with the reduction of stimulation fluid over the coming days.

The company that a single stage fracture stimulation of the Patchawarra Formation in the Encounter-1 shale and basin centred gas well was successfully placed on 23 April 2012. 

Reg Nelson, Managing Director said: “This Patchawarra flow result is significant.  It reinforces our belief that, in addition to the considerable shale gas play, the central part of the Nappamerri Trough in the Cooper Basin hosts a sizeable basin centred gas play.  The one thing we do know is that this resource is now a potential game changing asset for not just Beach Energy, but for the Australian East coast gas market as a whole.”

Encounter-1 will be flow tested for approximately 6 weeks, after which the test will be suspended and the well shut-in until the return of the fracture stimulation spread in June/July.  At that time the remaining target sections in Encounter-1 will be fracture stimulated.