LNG Energy completes seismic programme on Papua New Guinea licence

LNG Energy has completed the 2011 "Sling" 2D seismic programme on the entire western section of PPL 319 licence, onshore Papua New Guinea, and identified the Tuyuwopi prospect.

The company’s 100% held PPL 319 licence lies in the lowland area of the Papuan fold and thrust belt between several oil and gas fields.

The survey targeted 67km of alluvial river flats around the Kikori River, 59km of karst limestone and 22km of volcanic terrain, with 148km of 2D data acquired during April tp June and October to December 2011, with interpretation in early 2012.

PPL 319 confirmed the presence of source, seal, reservoir and structural traps which are considered prospective including proven, mature Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian) Lower Imburu formation source rocks that are currently generating hydrocarbons from local kitchen areas.

LNG expects that PPL 319 also contains clastic reservoirs of Lower Cretaceous-Upper Jurassic age, particularly in the western part and the Kikori Bend area of the licence.

The extensional fault related prospects found at Kikori Bend are early rift-related structures that show little late stage structural movement, LNG said.

The preserved extensional traps are expected to have been charged early as oil was generated, with good top seals and are less likely to be affected by late stage uplift or subsequent gas charge.

The company expects the reservoir will be oil charged and is carrying out a detailed analysis of the traps identified.