PNG: InterOil Updates on Antelope-3 Well

InterOil Corporation announced that the Antelope-3 appraisal well in Petroleum Retention License 15 in Papua New Guinea has penetrated the top of the reservoir at 5,328 feet (1,624 meters) measured depth, 217 feet (66 meters) above the predrill estimate, and 92 feet (28 meters) higher than the Antelope-1 well.

The well began flowing and was shut in at the surface. Subsequently, the gas kick was circulated out while flaring. The 9 5/8 inch liner was then installed, vertical well bore seismic (VSP) acquired, and the 9 5/8 inch casing tied back to surface with dual downhole deployment valves completed. Once the blow out preventer is installed and tested we will be running into hole to commence drilling the reservoir section in 6 Ľ” hole.

The forward plan is to drill approximately 300 feet (90 meters) in to the reservoir and then conduct a drill stem test over the open hole section of the wellbore below the casing shoe. After completing DST#1, we plan to drill the entire reservoir interval to an anticipated total depth of approximately 8,366 feet (2,550 meters) followed by wireline logging, rotary sidewall coring and drill stem testing.

The Antelope-3 primary objectives are to: 1) confirm reservoir depth, composition, character and continuity, 2) provide samples for analysis to further assist in development well planning, 3) assist in the gas resource evaluation, 4) satisfy work program obligations for PRL 15 and 5) complete the well as a future production well.

On November 27th, 2012, InterOil was notified by the Papua New Guinea Department of Petroleum and Energy (DPE) that it had been granted an approval of license variation to PRL 15, allowing the company to defer the drilling of a second commitment well from the first two year work program into the second two year work program. This should allow InterOil to manage service industry cost as we ramp up to a two well drilling program without straining the available resources in PNG.

“The Antelope-3 well has confirmed the top of the reservoir is over 200 feet higher than prognosis. These results support our reservoir model, and, all else being equal, should have a positive impact on our year-end resource estimate. Furthermore, we are pleased to have the support of Minister Duma and the DPE to allow flexibility to control costs and logistics of a two rig operation,” said Mr. Phil Mulacek, Chief Executive Officer of InterOil.

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LNG World News Staff, November 30, 2012; Image: InterOil