Drilling Update - Exciting Results from Project Range
Brisbane, Aug 9, 2019 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Central Petroleum Limited (
ASX:CTP) (C9J:FRA) (CPTLF:OTCMKTS) advises that Range 2, the fourth well in the Project Range exploration programme, has been successfully executed in line with the well plan.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Net coal thickness on prognosis and permeability in line with, or better than, expectations throughout the permit
- Fifth exploration well not required to move forward with production pilot to mature the resource further
- First booking of 2C resources expected in the coming weeks
Total Depth (TD) was reached at 615m from the Rotary Table (RT) and the Walloons coals were intercepted over a depth range from 95m RT to 520m RT. Nine Drill Stem Tests (DSTs) were conducted sequentially over 46 hours over the majority of the coals to evaluate permeability via the recovery of formation water. A preliminary review indicates permeability is in line with expectations at this location and that vertical well development of this region could be successful. With data gathering from Range 2 now complete, the well has been suspended pending a decision to retain the well as a monitoring bore, or to Plug & Abandon (P&A) the well.
Net coal thickness was consistently around 30m across the four exploration wells, in line with expectations and indicating good consistency of net coal thickness across the permit. This, combined with permeability results that exceeded overall expectations, means that further technical delineation of the permit will not be required to proceed with the production pilot phase. As such, the fifth well will not be drilled and Range 2 will be the final well in this exploration drilling programme. The Joint Venture will now identify the appraisal pilot location, with drilling of the pilot wells anticipated in early 2020 (subject to receiving approvals).
Full interpretation of the consolidated exploration results from all four Project Range wells continues with the first 2C resources booking in this permit expected in the coming weeks. Given the strong permeability results across all four exploration wells, it is now anticipated that the entire block will be suitable for vertical well development. A larger development area means more coal can be accessed enabling more gas to be recovered from each coal package. As a consequence, 2C resources for Project Range could be better than pre-drill expectations.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMMENT
"The exploration phase for Project Range has now been successfully executed, with completion of the programme well in advance of schedule. The results have exceeded our overall expectations, allowing us to move quickly to a pilot phase. Areas within the Walloons fairway with similar coal properties have successfully progressed into production. With the potential to book 2C resources before the pilot phase, Project Range is maturing into a material asset for Central, as well as being a potentially significant source of gas supply for the domestic market," said Leon Devaney (CEO and MD).
About Central Petroleum Limited
Central Petroleum Limited (
ASX:CTP) is an established ASX-listed Australian oil and gas producer (ASX:CTP) with exploration and appraisal permits in the Northern Territory (NT). Central has grown to become the largest onshore gas operator in the NT, supplying residential and industrial customers in the NT and wider Australian east coast market.
Central is seeking to become a major domestic energy supplier, in addition to helium and naturally occurring hydrogen, with exploration, appraisal and development plans across 169,112 km2 of tenements the NT, including some of Australia's largest known onshore conventional gas prospects in the Amadeus Basin.
| ||
|
