Project Profile
Value: UndisclosedLocation: PL 98, Eromanga region within Queensland, Australia
Reserves: unknown
Production: 4.5 MMbbls
Area: 40 km²
Start-up Year: -
The Inland oil field in PL 98 is the fourth largest Eromanga oil field within Queensland and the seventh largest onshore Australia. The field was discovered in 1994 and to date, 16 wells have been drilled with 15 completed for production. Total cumulative oil production to 31 March 2011 is 4.5 MMbbls. On 21 April 2011 Bridgeport assumed 100% ownership and operatorship of PL 98. The petroleum licence is 40 km² in area and its term runs until October 2021. Oil from the Hutton Sandstone accounts for 98% of total field production. Minor additional oil has been produced from the McKinlay Member/Namur Sandstone (1.8%) and the Birkhead Formation (0.2%). The field presently produces at circa 200 bopd. Inland 1, the initial discovery well, was drilled in June-July of 1994. Oil flowed to surface on a drill stem test interval over the Hutton Sandstone at 1,015 bopd on a ½\" choke. A further DST over the Namur Sandstone recovered 49 bbls of oil. The well was completed as a dual producer with the Hutton Sandstone flowing 950 bopd and the Namur Sandstone flowing 60-80 bopd via the annulus. Strong oil shows were also recorded from the McKinlay Member and the Birkhead Formation.
By February 2001 a total of 11 wells had been drilled on the field, including a horizontal well (Inland-9) when the decision was made to record the 40 km² Inland 3D seismic survey. Subsequently another five wells were drilled on the field, including a second horizontal well (Inland-12) and Inland NE-1, on a nearby satellite structure (see following map and seismic section). In addition to ongoing production from 10 existing wells, there are a number of remaining development opportunities that have been identified for the main Hutton reservoir, including:
- 8 in-fill development wells with the potential to recover both incremental and accelerated oil; and
- 9 workovers with the potential to recover significant additional oil. The Hutton workovers are a mixture of water shut-off and perforations of by-passed pay.
Significant oil is contained within the lower sand of the Birkhead Formation; a completely separate reservoir to the Hutton Sandstone. Although the sand has only fair reservoir characteristics, the successful Inland-4 fracture stimulation demonstrated that the Birkhead has good production potential, with oil flowing at 64 bopd. A large number (up to 20) of new development projects have been identified for the lower Birkhead Sand, including:
- 8 new wells that will initially aim to further develop the Hutton reservoir; and
- 13 fracture stimulations and possible re-perforation of existing wells.
Exploration/Appraisal Opportunities
Two fault traps have been mapped on the north-western downthrown block of the main Inland thrust fault, adjacent to the Inland oil field. Each trap has an area of closure of about 0.5 km². At both Birkhead and Hutton Sandstone levels, vertical relief of between 20 and 30 m has been mapped. The total resource potential for these satellite oil plays is in the range 6 to 7 million barrels of oil in-place.
Operators:
Bridgeport Energy (Qld) Pty Ltd (BQ): Operator with 100% interest