Senex's Sasanof-1 Exploration Well Confirms Unconventional Gas
Senex Energy has said that presence of gas during drilling and coring of the Sasanof-1 exploration well in South Australian permit PEL 516 indicate southern Cooper Basin could host a world-class unconventional gas resource.
Sasanof-1 exhibits many of the attributes typically associated with successful unconventional gas fields. During drilling and coring of Sasanof-1, Senex observed significant gas shows across the Epsilon and Patchawarra tight sand reservoirs of the Permian section. Subsequent chromatographic analysis suggests the presence of 'wet gas'.
In addition, initial desorption testing of Roseneath and Murteree shale samples and Toolachee and Patchawarra coal samples has delivered positive gas content.
Senex Managing Director Ian Davies said the results were very exciting for the company’s plans to establish a large scale, cost competitive unconventional gas resource.
“Successful exploration at Sasanof-1 is the first major step in unlocking a globally significant unconventional gas resource in the southern Cooper Basin. These initial results confirm that PEL 516 shares many of the characteristics of successful US unconventional gas plays,” he said.
Sasanof-1 is the first of three dedicated unconventional gas exploration wells to be drilled as part of Senex’s current campaign in southern Cooper Basin permit PEL 516.
Senex will conduct an extensive hydraulic fracture stimulation program at Sasanof-1 to evaluate the potential for commercial production of unconventional gas. Senex is currently finalising the design of the program, which will draw on data gathered from successful 'mini fracs' at the neighbouring Allunga Trough-1 well during January. The program will commence in early May 2012.
Senex’s second unconventional gas exploration well, Talaq-1, spudded
Senex’s second unconventional well, Talaq-1, spudded on 10 April 2012 and is presently drilling to a surface casing depth of 800 metres. The well will investigate the unconventional potential of the Permian Roseneath Shale, Epsilon Formation, Murteree Shale and Patchawarra Formation.
Skipton-1 to evaluate unconventional gas potential in the north of PEL 516
Senex plans to drill its third unconventional gas well, Skipton-1, in PEL 516 in June 2012. Skipton-1 is located approx. 50 kms north east of Sasanof-1. As with the Sasanof-1 and Talaq-1 wells, Skipton-1 will be extensively cored and logged in the Permian section and will undergo hydraulic fracture stimulation and flow testing in all gas bearing formations to evaluate the potential for commercial production of unconventional gas.
Fourth unconventional gas well to be drilled in neighbouring PEL 115
In early February, Senex and joint venture partner Orca Energy announced they would drill a dedicated unconventional gas exploration well in southern Cooper Basin permit PEL 115 in late 2012. This well will be the fourth unconventional gas well for Senex and will be extensively cored and logged in the Permian section and will undergo hydraulic fracture stimulation and flow testing in all gas bearing formations.