WestSide drills first lateral production well at Meridian gas field in Australia

Australia-based coal seam gas producer WestSide has drilled the first lateral production well at the Meridian gas field, located west of Gladstone in Queensland’s Bowen Basin.

The well was drilled into the A seam at a 320m depth. It is expected to be online by the end of July, and an additional programme of new wells is being planned for later in the year.

Once the new lateral well is connected and online, it is anticipated to take a few months to ramp up to peak production.

WestSide managing director Mike Hughes said that an investment in quality steering technology provided clear imaging of the coal and has contributed to the success of the well.

“Drilling operations are continuing and progressing on track, with the remaining phase one drilling programme planned to be completed by the end of August,” Hughes added.

“The stability of the production from existing wells and the successful drilling of this lateral well and the two vertical wells earlier in June have given WestSide further confidence in the expansion of the Meridian gas field.”

WestSide owns a 51% stake in the Meridian gas field with Mitsui E&P Australia holding the remaining 49% interest. The firms have signed a 20-year gas sales agreement to supply 65TJ per day to the Gladstone liquefied natural gas project in Queensland.

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Image: The lateral well was drilled into the A seam at a 320m depth. Photo: courtesy of suwatpo/FreeDigitalPhotos.net.