Australia: Karoon Gas Updates on Boreas-1 Drilling

June 28, 2012

Karoon Gas Australia Ltd announced that at 06:00 hours (WST) today, final function testing of the Blowout Preventers (BOP) on the sea floor is currently being undertaken, with the expectation of drilling ahead with the 8 ½” hole later today.

Since the last report, the BOPs and marine riser were run to the sea floor, and after function testing were pulled from the hole for further repair and maintenance. They have now passed all checks on the surface and have been re-run to the seafloor for final subsea function testing. Transocean, the rig owner, is working closely with ConocoPhillips and has provided a global team of experts to ensure the proper functioning of the BOP.

The Transocean Legend semi-submersible rig is drilling the exploration well, which is operated by ConocoPhillips.

ConocoPhillips is the operator of the jointly held WA-314-P, WA-315-P and WA-398-P Browse Basin permits containing the previously announced Poseidon and Kronos gas discoveries. Karoon Gas Australia Ltd holds 40% of the permit WA-315-P and WA-398-P, and 90% of permit WA-314-P.

Boreas-1 is located approximately 4 kilometres south of Poseidon-1 in WA-315-P on a large tilted fault block which is part of the of the north-east trending structural high of the greater Poseidon structure. The objective of the well is to test the extent, presence and quality of reservoirs within the Boreas-1 fault block.

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LNG World News Staff, June 28, 2012