Drilling is still underway on a deepwater probe operated by Shell in the southern Carnarvon Basin offshore Western Australia, despite weather-related delays.
According to WHL Energy, the Palta prospect in Block WA-384-P has been delayed by adverse local weather conditions that led to rig downtime. However the Palta-1 well, being drilled in approximately 1,350 m (4,429 ft) of water, is still continuing.
It is being drilled to a planned Total Depth of between 5,325- 5,675 m (17, 470-18,618 ft), and was spudded mid-October.
Under the original timeframe the well was expected to take between 60-90 days to drill.
WHL does not have a stake in Shell’s permit but holds an interest in adjacent block WA-460-P, where it, Cott Oil and Gas and Strike Energy all have equal 33.3% stakes. As a result they are keeping a close watch on the progress of Shell's wildcat.
The Palta-1 well is being drilled by the semisub Noble Clyde Boudreaux, which is due to continue drilling for Shell on its Prelude LNG project after this probe is completed.
The prospect has pre-drill reserve estimates of up to 13.5 Tcf of gas in place, with up to 20% of the gas to possibly extend over the permit boundary into WA-460-P, according to WHL.
Recommended Reading
Range Resources Holds Production Steady in 1Q 2024
2024-04-24 - NGLs are providing a boost for Range Resources as the company waits for natural gas demand to rebound.
Hess Midstream Increases Class A Distribution
2024-04-24 - Hess Midstream has increased its quarterly distribution per Class A share by approximately 45% since the first quarter of 2021.
Baker Hughes Awarded Saudi Pipeline Technology Contract
2024-04-23 - Baker Hughes will supply centrifugal compressors for Saudi Arabia’s new pipeline system, which aims to increase gas distribution across the kingdom and reduce carbon emissions
PrairieSky Adds $6.4MM in Mannville Royalty Interests, Reduces Debt
2024-04-23 - PrairieSky Royalty said the acquisition was funded with excess earnings from the CA$83 million (US$60.75 million) generated from operations.
Equitrans Midstream Announces Quarterly Dividends
2024-04-23 - Equitrans' dividends will be paid on May 15 to all applicable ETRN shareholders of record at the close of business on May 7.