Senex Energy Ltd., operator of the Snatcher-4 oil well on the western flank of the South Australian Cooper Basin in Exploration License 111, has cased and suspended the well as a future oil producer after successfully intersecting a 10 m (32 ft) gross oil column.

The well spudded on May 15, and reached a total depth of 1,880 m (6,167 ft). Wireline logs and side-wall cores confirmed the presence of a 10.3 m (33.7 ft) gross oil column in the Birkhead formation over an interval of 1,756.2 m (5,761.8 ft) to 1,783.6 m (5,851.7 ft) with interpreted net oil pay of at least 6.5 m (21.3 ft).

The Snatcher-4 well is the first of two appraisal wells to be drilled at the Snatcher oil field as part of the expanded 14-well exploration and appraisal campaign for the 2011-12 financial year on the western flank of the Cooper Basin.

The Ensign Rig 48 is mobilizing to the Snatcher-5 location in the license. The well is 470 m (1,541 ft) west of the Snatcher-3 oil well and will evaluate the potential for oil production from the Jurassic Birkhead formation. Drilling on the well is expected to commence early June.

Senex holds 60% interest in Exploration License 111; and Beach Energy Ltd. holds the remaining 40%.