Offshore staff
ADELAIDE, Australia – Santos claims to have discovered gas volumes with its Crown-1 exploration well in the Browse basin offshore Western Australia.
The well was drilled in the WA-274-P permit, 500 km (310 mi) north of Broome, 60 km (37 mi) west of theIchthys field, and 20 km (12 mi) east of the Poseidon field. Water depth is 440 m (1,443 ft).
Wireline logging has confirmed 61 m (200 ft) of net gas pay in Jurassic Montara, Plover, and Malita reservoirs between depths of 4,873 and 4,998 m (15,987 and 16,397 ft), and no gas-water contact has been found.
Pressure data acquired from multiple points suggests that gas would flow at a high rate. Multiple condensate-bearing gas samples were recovered to surface.
Crown-1 will now be deepened to a proposed TD of 5,200 m (17,060 ft).
Santos’ head of exploration Bill Ovenden said: “The Crown discovery is well positioned, in close proximity to existing and proposedLNG projects in the Browse basin and other material exploration prospects.” Santos operates the permit, in partnership with Chevron and INPEX.
Additionally, the company has agreed to take a 30% interest in adjoining exploration permit, WA-408-P, operated by Total, subject to conditions. Murphy Oil is the other partner. The joint venture has committed to an initial drilling program that will include the Dufresne-1 and Bassett West-1 wells, expected to immediately follow the Crown-1 program.
11/19/2012
