Santos Strikes Gas in Browse Basin

Santos has announced a significant gas discovery at the Crown-1 exploration well in WA-274-P, located in the Browse Basin offshore Western Australia.

Wireline logging has to date confirmed 61 metres of net gas pay in the Jurassic-aged Montara, Plover and Malita reservoirs between 4,873 and 4,998 metres, and the well has not intersected a gas-water contact, Santos said.

Drilling will now progress on the Crown-1 well to a proposed total depth of 5,200 metres.

Santos holds 30% of WA-274-P and is operator. Joint venture partners are Chevron (50%) and INPEX (20%).

In addition, Santos has executed agreements to take a 30% interest in the adjoining exploration permit, WA-408-P, operated by Total (50%). Murphy Oil Corporation has a 20% interest in the permit. The joint venture has committed to an initial drilling programme in the permit, including Dufresne-1 and Bassett West-1. These wells are expected to immediately follow the Crown-1 program.