Empire Prepares to Frack Northern Territory Well

Australian oil and gas explorer Empire Energy on December 14 said it was preparing for the fracture stimulation and flow testing of its 100% owned-and-operated Carpentaria-1 vertical exploration well at permit EP187 in Northern Territory’s Beetaloo basin.

“We drilled our first Beetaloo basin well, Carpentaria-1, which intersected the thickest interval of Middle Velkerri shale of any well drilled in the basin to date, with the highest liquids to gas ratio,” Empire managing director Alex Underwood said. “Following this success, we are now planning for appraisal stimulation and flow testing to commence at the beginning of next year’s dry season.”

Underwood added that the presence of liquid hydrocarbons in its gas was attracting inquiries from major petrochemical manufacturers who are looking at development options in Darwin.

Empire has submitted an environment management plan to hydraulically stimulate the Carpentaria-1 well. The plan has been accepted by the Northern Territory department of environment, parks and water security for final assessment, and approval is expected in Q1 2021.

“The multi-stage vertical hydraulic stimulation of Carpentaria-1 will be run over the most promising liquids rich gas intervals of the Velkerri formation. Data analysis to select these intervals is now being conducted by our technical team in readiness for commencement of field operations in Q2 2021,” Empire said.