Santos confirms Moomba South ‘significant’ gas resources

Australian LNG player Santos has confirmed significant gas resources following Phase 1 of the Moomba South Patchawarra Formation appraisal program in the Cooper Basin.

Santos said that the program targeted two new plays in the Granite Wash and Fractured Granite which could have the potential to add significant new resources.

The Patchawarra reservoir system on the deeper flanks of the Moomba South field was assessed to contain significant gas potential in thick, well-developed, gas-charged tight sandstone reservoirs.

The company added that eight appraisal wells were drilled to total depths ranging from 3,034 to 3,303 meters and all intersected gas pay.

Gas pay in the wells ranged from 16 to 64 meters, in line with assumptions underpinning pre-drill contingent resource estimates. The wells were stimulated with between four to six stages.

Preliminary gas sample analysis indicates a higher natural gas liquids content and lower CO2 content compared to the adjacent and overlying Moomba field production areas. Additional analysis is underway to confirm the gas composition and associated gas liquids volumes.

Santos stated that seven of the appraisal wells have now been tested and brought online with a stabilized single-well gas flow of 8.7 mmscf/d. One well was plugged and abandoned.

In addition to the Patchawarra, significant upside in the Toolachee, Daralingie, and Epsilon reservoir complexes were also demonstrated with wells encountering near virgin pressures and better than expected porosity and permeability.

“The results of the appraisal program will inform field development planning for the Moomba South project. Planning is underway to undertake further drilling on Moomba South towards the end of 2019. This further drilling may include horizontal wells to further appraise the field,” the LNG player said.

Santos managing director and CEO Kevin Gallagher stated: “I am very pleased that the Moomba South Phase 1 appraisal program has confirmed a significant gas resource and resulted in seven new wells now producing in the Cooper.”

It is worth noting that the Moomba South appraisal program is located in PPL 8 and PPL 9, operated by Santos 66.6% with Beach as a partner with a 33.4% stake.