IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA - Department of Mines and Petroleum
IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA - Department of Mines and Petroleum
IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA - Department of Mines and Petroleum
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acquisition had incident free operations.<br />
Texaco Australia Pty Ltd participated in the drilling <strong>of</strong><br />
the Mobil operated Jansz 3 well. The well was<br />
successfully production tested, with a peak rate <strong>of</strong> 2<br />
Mm 3 /d (72.6 MMcf/d).<br />
A major event during 2003 was the announcement<br />
<strong>of</strong> the ratification <strong>of</strong> the State legislation that will<br />
allow Gorgon limited access to Barrow Isl<strong>and</strong> for the<br />
construction <strong>of</strong> a gas processing plant. Many other<br />
approvals are required before Gorgon can start<br />
construction <strong>of</strong> the plant notwithst<strong>and</strong>ing the<br />
stringent environmental approvals.<br />
Two large seismic programs have been planned for<br />
2004 in the Greater Gorgon Area. The Ch<strong>and</strong>on 3D<br />
MSS will focus on the Ch<strong>and</strong>on Prospect in WA-<br />
268-P <strong>and</strong> the Io-Jansz 3D MSS will further<br />
delineate the large gas resource discovered by the<br />
Io <strong>and</strong> Jansz wells over the last several years.<br />
Acquisition is scheduled to start in February 2004.<br />
The major focus in 2004 for the Gorgon Area Gas<br />
Team will be the continued commercialisation effort<br />
for the Gorgon gas. To this, numerous positions<br />
have been advertised in the national newspapers<br />
looking for engineers <strong>and</strong> other project experienced<br />
personnel.<br />
Eni Australia<br />
In 2003, Eni Australia was actively involved in 11<br />
exploration permits in <strong>of</strong>fshore Australian waters<br />
<strong>and</strong> eight <strong>of</strong> these were in Western Australian<br />
waters. As operator, Eni acquired 5300 km <strong>of</strong> 2D<br />
seismic in the Houtman Sub-basin <strong>and</strong> reprocessed<br />
a further 5000 km <strong>of</strong> 2D seismic. As non-operator,<br />
Eni participated in two exploration wells, Wigmore 1<br />
<strong>and</strong> Weasel 1.<br />
Activity planned for 2004 as operator includes the<br />
acquisition <strong>of</strong> 600 km 2 <strong>of</strong> 3D seismic <strong>and</strong> the<br />
drilling <strong>of</strong> one exploration well on the Woollybutt<br />
production licence. The company also intends to<br />
participate in at least two other exploration wells<br />
during the year.<br />
Kimberley Oil<br />
Due to the forthcoming granting <strong>of</strong> Application Area<br />
2/96-7, which contains the oil <strong>and</strong> gas-bearing<br />
Pictor anticline, the company commissioned an<br />
engineering appraisal <strong>of</strong> the economic viability <strong>of</strong><br />
horizontal drilling into the oil <strong>and</strong> gas-bearing zone.<br />
The study concluded that horizontal drilling into the<br />
Pictor Anticline is likely to achieve economic oil<br />
production rates <strong>and</strong> that estimated recoverable oil<br />
reserves total 6.4 GL (40 MMbbl).<br />
Kimberley Oil will be seeking a farm-in into the<br />
exploration permit, subsequent to the granting <strong>of</strong><br />
Application Area 2/96-7, so that a horizontal well is<br />
drilled into the Pictor Anticline.<br />
A commitment exploration well is due in EP129, <strong>and</strong><br />
the company is seeking a farm-in partner for the<br />
drilling <strong>of</strong> Boundary Southeast 1. A commitment<br />
exploration well is due in EP391, <strong>and</strong> the company<br />
is seeking a farm-in partner for the drilling <strong>of</strong> a test<br />
well on the crest <strong>of</strong> the Yulleroo Anticline.<br />
Nexen Energy<br />
On the exploration front, Nexen had been seeking<br />
partners to participate in the exploration <strong>of</strong> WA-239-<br />
P, in the Browse Basin, <strong>of</strong>fshore Western Australia.<br />
The block is situated on the Yampi Shelf on the<br />
eastern margin <strong>of</strong> the basin, approximately 730 km<br />
southwest <strong>of</strong> Darwin. It has an area <strong>of</strong><br />
approximately 4700 km 2 <strong>and</strong> only two wells have<br />
been drilled in the permit. However, the farm-out<br />
efforts were unsuccessful <strong>and</strong> Nexen surrendered<br />
the permit.<br />
Roc Oil<br />
Permit Interests<br />
As at 31 December 2003, Roc Oil (WA) Pty Ltd<br />
(ROC) is the operator <strong>of</strong> four permits in the Perth<br />
Basin <strong>and</strong> participates in another permit, as detailed<br />
in Table 2. Effective 1 April 2003, ROC acquired Arc<br />
Nexen’s Buffalo oilfield (Image courtesy <strong>of</strong> Nexen Energy)<br />
Table 2: ROC’s W.A. Permit Interests as at 31 December 2003<br />
PWA April Edition - 2003 Review 13<br />
Energy’s 7.5% interest in WA-286-P (which<br />
includes the Cliff Head oilfield). ROC farmed into<br />
EP413 effective 1 April 2003, by acquiring Victoria<br />
<strong>Petroleum</strong>’s 0.25% equity in the permit, which<br />
contains the Jingemia oilfield. In mid-2003, ROC<br />
acquired an option to acquire Norwest Energy’s<br />
7.5% equity in WA-226-P. This option may be<br />
exercised pending the review <strong>of</strong> Macallan 3D<br />
seismic data.<br />
In addition, ROC announced on 18 December 2003<br />
that it will exercise an option with Voyager Energy<br />
Limited to acquire a 50% interest in, <strong>and</strong><br />
operatorship <strong>of</strong>, the gazettal block WO3-14, which<br />
is contiguous with three licences in which ROC<br />
already hold interests, <strong>and</strong> is on the same<br />
geological trend as the Cliff Head oilfield.<br />
Drilling Activity<br />
In 2003, ROC participated in three exploration <strong>and</strong><br />
four appraisal wells in the Perth Basin. The<br />
exploration wells did not encounter significant<br />
hydrocarbons, while all appraisal wells were<br />
successful.<br />
Permit Basin ROC Interest Operator<br />
WA-286-P Perth (Offshore) 37.5% Roc Oil (WA) Pty Ltd<br />
TP/15 Perth (Offshore) 20.0% Roc Oil (WA) Pty Ltd<br />
WA-325-P Perth (Offshore) 37.5% Roc Oil (WA) Pty Ltd<br />
WA-327-P Perth (Offshore) 37.5% Roc Oil (WA) Pty Ltd<br />
EP413 Perth (Onshore) 0.25% Origin Energy<br />
Developments Pty Ltd<br />
WA-226-P (Option to acquire) Perth (Offshore) 7.5% Origin Energy<br />
Developments Pty Ltd