Australia: Karoon Updates on Browse Basin Drilling

Karoon Gas Australia Ltd advises that at 06:00 hours (WST) today, the Boreas-1 well was completing pressure testing of the BOPs on surface. Since the last report, the 12-1/4” hole section was drilled from 3908 m to 4009 m, 9-5/8” casing was run and cemented, and the BOP and marine riser were pulled from the well.

The BOPs were then serviced. Drilling of the 8-1/2” hole section is expected to commence early next week. 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.

Upcoming Well Program

The exploration program, operated by ConocoPhillips, plans to utilise the Transocean Legend semi-submersible rig for the entire campaign and is expected to continue through 2013.

A minimum of five wells will be drilled during the exploration program. The principal objective of the exploration program is to better define the size and quality of the hydrocarbon accumulations within the exploration permits which contain the greater Poseidon trend.

The second well, Zephyros-1, is located in permit WA-398-P on a large tilted fault block approximately 8 kilometres south west of Kronos-1 discovery location. The third well, Proteus-1, is located in WA-398-P on a large tilted fault block approximately 14 kilometres south east of the Poseidon-1 discovery location. Additional well locations for the remainder of the program will be announced as they obtain joint venture approval.

Ongoing progress reports

In addition to complying with its continuous disclosure obligations, Karoon proposes to provide fortnightly progress reports during drilling operations.

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Source: Karoon Gas Australia Ltd, May 28, 2012