Buru Energy makes u-turn on Paradise well abandonment plans

Buru Energy said it will continue operations at the Paradise-1 well in Western Australia’s onshore Canning Basin after recovering live oil to surface during abandonment preparations.

The well, the second well in the Buru – Mitsubishi Corporation joint exploration programme, has now been suspended for further testing and evaluation of Lower Grant/Anderson Formation oil zone, rather than plugged and abandoned as originally decided.

Buru Energy executive director Eric Streitberg said the company was frustrated that it was unable to obtain a definitive test of the oil zone when the well was originally drilled.

"However, the wait appears to have been worthwhile with the continued recovery of live oil being a very positive development," Steitberg added.

"Importantly, the area of potential on the Paradise structure for this zone is significant, and from interpretation of the current sparse seismic data it appears that it may be possible to get up to 60 metres updip from the current location."

The Paradise-1 well in exploration permit EP 428, is contiguous with EP 371, and located 200km south-east of Derby.

Buru said testing of the oil zone would require mobilisation of a completion string and test equipment and the company intends to prepare a suitable test programme for consideration by the joint venture.

Buru Energy holds a 50% stake in this well and in EP 428, while Mitsubishi holds the remaining 50% through a farm-in agrrement to cover 80% of the well expenses.