Offshore staff

SAN RAMON, California -- The Achilles-1 exploration well in the Carnarvon basin has hit natural gas pay, according to operator Chevron Australia. The offshore-Australia well was drilled to a total depth of 14,800 ft (4,500 m) and encountered approximately 325 ft (100 m) of net gas pay, the company reports.

The Achilles-1 well is in the WA-374-P permit area. Chevron Australia is the operator with a 50% interest, while Shell Development (Australia) and ExxonMobil Australia each hold 25%. Chevron is currently spudding the Satyr-1 exploration well in the permit area.

“As we expand our Australia natural gas business, additional discoveries in the most prospective areas in the region will be expected to be tied into facilities already under construction or being planned,” says Jim Blackwell, president of Chevron Asia Pacific exploration and production.

10/19/2009