Project Profile
Value: Undisclosed
Location: Upper Hunter region, approximately 200 kilometres north of Sydney, Australia
Reserves: Original gas-in-place (OGIP) of 30.2 Tcf, prospective resources of 13.1 Tcf and 3C resources of 0.9 Tcf
Area: 5,853 km2
Start-up Year: -
PEL 456 is located in the Upper Hunter region, approximately 200 kilometres north of Sydney and covers an area of 5,853 km2. Santos is the operator of the permit, initially holding 15% equity share, which increased to 50% upon completion of the 2011 drilling program. Seven coreholes have already been drilled across the permit and gas content and permeability testing have been conducted on the bituminous coals that has been recorded at over 70 metres in thickness in certain areas. MBA Petroleum Consultants have certified gross original gas-in-place (OGIP) of 30.2 Tcf, prospective resources of 13.1 Tcf and 3C resources of 0.9 Tcf. In 2H 2011, a multi-well lateral pilot program and a vertical seismic shoot is expected to take place as part of further appraisal of the permit.
A Santos Ltd subsidiary had earned a 15% interest in the PEL 456 coal seam gas exploration permit, as part of a farmin agreement with Apollo Gas Ltd. Following the completion by Santos of Phase 2A of the farm-in work program, and the encouraging results from drilling in the Brawboy-Cuan area, Santos had elected to proceed to Phases 2B and 2C of the farm-in work program and earned a further 35% interest in the CSG rights in PEL 456, reaching 50%. Phases 2B & 2C of the farm-in work program consist of drilling a multi-well pilot and associated testing, drilling of a further exploration corehole and the acquisition of walkaway vertical seismic profiles (VSP). In 2011, Dart Energy completed the acquisition of Apollo Energy and earned the other 50% interest in the PEL 456 Coal Seam Gas (CSG) project.
Operators:
Santos: Operator with 50% interest
Dart Energy: 50% interest
Contractors:
MBA Petroleum Consultants: Consultancy services (reserves estimation and feasibility studies)