AWE commences drilling operations at Waitsia-2 appraisal well in Perth, Australia

Australian oil and gas exploration and production firm AWE has started drilling the Waitsia-2 appraisal well located at permits L1/L2 in the Perth Basin.

The firm intends to continue drilling the well to a depth of 3,803m measured depth below rotary table (MDRT) over a seven-week duration.

The drilling is being done to measure the potential of gas in the southern extension of the Waitsia field.

Primary targets at the site are located in the deep conventional formations in the Kingia and High Cliff Sandstones.
AWE intends to proceed with a flow test of the well after evaluating the drilling samples.

If tested positive, the site will be considered as a production well for potential future field development.

Located around 16.5km to the east-southeast of Dongara and 5.6km south-southwest of Waitsia-1, the well is the final one to be drilled under AWE’s planned three well programme in the region for the year.

The firm had estimated the Waitsia gas field could have around 290 billion ft³ of 2C contingent resources in gross at the Kingia/High Cliff Sandstone formations.

AWE owns a 50% stake in the Permits L1/L2 through its subsidiaries with Origin Energy Resources owning the rest.