Nexus said the well, in WA-377-P, had so far been drilled ahead by Shell Development to a vertical depth of 1710m in a 17.5-inch hole.
Over the next week, Shell plans to set 13.5 inch casing before drilling ahead in a 12 ¼ inch hole towards a total depth of 3800m.
Fossetmaker-1 is evaluating the possible eastern extension of the Echuca Shoals gas field, discovered by the Echuca Shoals-1 well on the border of the permit in 1983.
“Interpretation by Nexus of pressure data recorded in one of the gas bearing sands in well indicates the potential for a large gas column,” Nexus said.
“The accumulation could extend over a large area in the WA-377-P permit and contain large volumes of gas.”
If Nexus is right, the company believes the field was “ideally located” in an area of the Browse Basin that was quickly becoming a regional focus for liquefied natural gas developments.
Should the field be smaller than thought, but with liquids-rich gas, Nexus would plan to develop a liquids project similar to its Crux field, also in the Browse.
Nexus holds a 66% stake and is WA-377-P permit operator, while Shell is the drilling operator with 34%.
