Norwest Energy in Shale Search

Norwest Energy has been awarded a special prospecting authority (SPA) to carry out a full-tensor gradiometry (FTG) survey over 21 onshore blocks in the Northern Perth basin, Western Australia.

The SPA extends Norwest's footprint in the Basin across a 860 square kilometre area along the Western Australian coast between Cervantes and Eneabba, which the company views as having significant shale gas potential.

Norwest said the FTG survey would be designed to accurately identify potential basement related fault blocks and adjacent deep troughs suitable for unconventional shale gas targets.

The company commissioned a third party study in 2010 which stated the Kockatea shales had the potential maturity to produce gas, contain fair total organic carbon content and were predominantly composed of type II kerogen. Two wells included in this study were Point Louise-1 (drilled in 1981) and Jurien-1 (drilled in 1963), both located on the western side of the Beagle Fault, and both of which showed favourable indicators for shale gas.

Norwest chief executive Peter Munachen said the SPA formed an integral part of the company’s strategy to further develop its stake in the Northern Perth basin.

“Shale gas is now a proven, significant resource in North America and Norwest is determined to play an important role in developing shale gas resources within Western Australia,” he said.

Source: Norwest Energy