Beach Energy Starts Fracture Stimulation of Moonta-1 Shale Well

Beach Energy has commenced hydraulic fracture stimulation of the Moonta-1 unconventional shale and basin centred gas exploration well, located in PEL 218 in the Nappamerri Trough in the Cooper Basin.

The well was drilled in April 2012 to a depth of 3,810 metres, with logs indicating the well has in excess of 1,000 metres of gas saturated Permian target zone, from the Toolachee Formation to the base of the Patchawarra Formation.

The fracture stimulation of Moonta-1 will be conducted over nine stages of the Patchawarra Formation and one stage of the Murteree Shale, covering depths of about 3,300 metres to 3,800 metres.  It is expected that each stage will take one to two days to complete, with the gas from all stages to be co- mingled. Moonta-1 will be flow tested for a period of several weeks, after which the well will be plugged for the possible fracture stimulation of the remaining REM intervals above the Patchawarra Formation.