Beach Energy Updates Australia Gas Operations

Jolly-1, the first of two deep wells targeting the Casterton Formation within the Penola Trough of the onshore Otway Basin, South Australia, is being plugged and abandoned after cutting cores in the Casterton Formation and Lower Sawpit Shale and also identifying the potential for a new deep basin gas play in the Penola Trough, JV partner Cooper Energy reports.

The well will be drilled to a total depth of 4,026 metres in PEL 495.

The rig will move to PRL 32 to drill Bungaloo-1 immediately after completing operations at Jolly-1. Bungaloo-1, located 14 kms northwest of Jolly-1, has a prognosed total depth of 3,677 metres. Bungaloo-1’s primary target is the Casterton Formation and the Lower Sawpit Shale is now a secondary objective, Cooper adds.

Participating interests in the PEL 495 and PRL-32 are: Cooper Energy (30%); Beach Energy (70% and Operator).

Meanwhile Etty-1 well in ATP 855 has reached total depth of 3,807 metres in the top of the Patchawarra Formation, Icon Energy reports.

Etty-1, a vertical exploration well located 8.6 kms east of Halifax-1, was drilled to evaluate the basin-centred gas potential of the Permian Formations, from top Toolachee to top Patchawarra Formation. The well encountered gas shows throughout the Permian section and will be cased and suspended for fracture stimulation and production testing to assess the deliverability potential of the unconventional gas play, which is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2014.

Joint Venture interests in ATP 855: Icon Energy 35.1%; Beach Energy 46.9% (Operator); Chevron Australia Exploration 18%.

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