The Lauren-2 well was QGC’s second Surat Basin well to free-flow at rates over 500,000cfd for an extended period, the company said this morning. The Berwyndale South #9 well, located 10km to the north in PL201, flowed gas at over 1.1 million cfd during production testing earlier this year.
“Free-flowing wells are significantly more profitable than traditional coal seam gas wells, as expensive pumping equipment is not required and in-field gas usage is minimised,” said QGC managing director Richard Cottee.
“The natural gas lift experienced at Berwyndale South-9, and now replicated at Lauren-2, could reduce estimated field operating costs by up to 20%.”
Lauren-2 is part of a three-well mini-pilot 10km south-west of the Argyle Gas field and 10km south-east of the Berwyndale South Field.
“If the results from Lauren-2 can be replicated in QGC’s drilling program at Berwyndale South in August, QGC will design its Berwyndale South Gas field development, planned to come on-stream by March 2006 to capture these enhanced economies,” Cottee said.
ATP 620P (Lauren) is owned 59.375% QGC and 40.625% Pangaea Oil & Gas Pty Ltd; PL201 (Berwyndale South) is owned 90% QGC.
