DRILLING

Purus' CBM wildcat reaches total depth

COALBED methane explorer Purus Energy has run preliminary geophysical logs in the Gordon Project's first well, GPE-1, in the Otway Basin, after drilling reached a total depth of 1107 metres.

Purus' CBM wildcat reaches total depth

Purus said chip samples of the target Killara Coals were taken and the gas content is currently being measured.

The company said it would decide whether to keep GPE-1 as a production or observation well, after it finishes drilling and appraising all four wells in the Gordon Project.

GPE-1 has now been suspended and the drilling rig is moving to the second well in the program, PGE-1, which has a similar target depth.

Purus, which raised $9 million in an IPO last September, is the first company to explore the Otway for CBM.

It plans to explore and commercialise CBM for the southeastern Australian gas market. It says it has already held initial discussions with natural gas wholesalers, which have shown interest in buying gas from the company.

Purus intends to drill four slim core holes to depths of around 1000m in the Casterton and Warrnambool areas to sample seams in the Killara Coal Measures already identified from detailed research of the region. Petroleum exploration wells drilled over the last few decades have already confirmed the existence of natural gas in the area.

If the initial drilling is successful, Purus plans to establish a trial gas field to determine the commercial viability of gas production through assessment of gas flow rates and other production parameters. Depending on the results, the board then plans to commission a bank feasibility study for the full production and development of one CBM area, which could involve raising additional funds.

TOPICS:

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the energy sector, brought to you by the Energy News Bulletin Intelligence team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the energy sector, brought to you by the Energy News Bulletin Intelligence team.

editions

ENB Cost Report 2023

ENB’s latest Cost Report findings provide optimism as investments in oil and gas, as well as new energy rise.

editions

ENB Future of Energy Report 2023

ENB’s inaugural Future of Energy Report details the industry outlook on the medium-to-long-term future for the sector in the Asia Pacific region.

editions

ENB Cost Report 2021

This industry-wide report aims to understand current cost levels across the energy industry

editions

ENB Social Licence Report 2021

In its second year, this research now includes trends and new findings surrounding impacts and responses as the energy industry seeks to secure and maintain a social licence to operate.