The Gnarlyknots-1A well was abandoned at 4,736 m due to deteriorating weather. The operator decided not to pursue the Great Australian Bight wildcat to its total depth after being closed down for 10 days due to winter storms. The company was forced to take the loss and pull out of the area, with the drill ship Glomar Jack Ryan leaving the location.
Woodside has a 40% interest in EPP29, with EnCana and Anadarko both at 30%.
A Woodside subsidiary, Woodside Energy (USA) was also forced to plug and abandon the Roatan #1 exploration well in the Gulf of Mexico in Brazos Area Block 490 after drilling to TD of 16,000 feet.
The well forms part of a $US55 million joint venture exploration program with US independent Pioneer Natural Resources USA Inc.
Under the agreement, Woodside took a 50% interest in 47 offshore exploration blocks operated by Pioneer. Woodside and Pioneer each own a 50% interest in Roatan-1 with Pioneer the operator of the Roatan prospect. No follow up operations are currently planned.
