The Boreas-1 exploration well in Australia has reached its primary reservoir objective and the drilling assembly was being pulled out of the hole in preparation for coring operations, according to a Karoon Gas news release.
The well intersected a sand interval characterized by a rate of penetration increase, sandy drill cuttings, and an increase in the mudlog gas readings indicating a potential gas bearing reservoir. Coring operations will be undertaken to allow more extensive analysis of rock properties in potential reservoir intervals in the Boreas-1 well.
On completion of the coring and drilling operations to total depth, wireline logging, pressure, and sampling programs will be used to define the thickness and properties of any sands penetrated and the presence and characteristics of any movable hydrocarbons which they may contain, the release said. Production testing will be undertaken should hydrocarbon bearing sands be encountered and confirmed by the wireline logging and the pressure and sampling programs.
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 km (2 miles) south of Poseidon-1 in WA-315-P on a large tilted fault block which is part of the of the northeast 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.
The exploration program, operated by ConocoPhillips, plans to utilize 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 km (5 miles) 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 km (7 miles) southeast of the Poseidon-1 discovery location.
