Ironbark-1 Well Gets All Oz Regulatory Okay

Regulators have approved the drilling of the Ironbark-1 well in exploration permit WA359-P, and the operator BP is making final preparations for the handover of the Ocean Apex drilling rig, expected in October, joint venture partner Cue Energy said on September 22.

“The well operations management plan and the safety case for the Ocean Apex drilling rig were the final regulatory documents required to be approved by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA). Both of these documents have now been approved,” Cue said.

Mobilisation of the drilling rig for the Ironbark-1 well is expected to commence mid-October, with drilling due to begin by the end of that month.

Exploration permit WA-359-P is located in the Carnarvon Basin, offshore Western Australia, approximately 50 km from the existing North West Shelf LNG infrastructure. The Ironbark-1 well is to be drilled to around 5,500 metres depth and will be the first test of the Ironbark gas prospect.

BP has a 42.5% stake in WA-359-P, while Cue has 21.5%, Beach Energy 21% and New Zealand Oil & Gas 15%.