Comet Ridge said this morning that TDC, which has previously supported its drilling in the remote Galilee Basin, would soon mobilise the TDC Rig 8 service rig to begin work under-reaming of the four Mira pilot wells.
Comet Ridge managing director Tor McCaul said the company was using two rigs to help maximise efficiency and reduce overall costs.
Rig 8 was described as ideal for pulling out tubing and pumps from the Mira wells, under-reaming the coals and then rerunning tubing and pumps back into the wells so they can be put back onto production.
The aim is to improve both water and gas offtake rates and establish production performance consistent with that already achieved in the Mahalo pilot.
As that work comes to an end the larger Rig 10 will be mobilised to the field from TDC's Roma base to drill Humboldt South 1 corehole to help prove coal continuity within the block.
Humboldt South-1 corehole about 6km to the north-east of the Mira pilot wells.
McCaul said the work program would achieve the best possible outcome for the lowest cost.
Comet Ridge secured operatorship of ATP 744 in April from its partners Santos and Australia Pacific LNG (Origin Energy and ConocoPhillips) with the aim of accelerating work in Mahalo, which is the junior's flagship asset.
It is funding Santos' share of the work until December 2018 with the aim of moving 3P reserves over into the 2P reserves category.
Mahalo project has 219 petajoules of 3P reserves and 112PJ of 1C resources, making it one of the largest uncontracted resources in Queensland.
The aim is to prove up at least 33PJ (2P).
The company has completed well design and planning, selection of contractors and ordering of equipment to support field work, which should begin soon.
McCaul said equipment ordered from the USA will be manufactured by July 15 and he expected would be available in the field to commence work, before the end of July.
The Mahalo Block sits some 240km west of Gladstone, 14km east of a Santos-APLNG owned pipeline and 40km north of both Jemena's Queensland Gas Pipeline and the GLNG main pipeline line to Gladstone.
Comet Ridge shares were 12.5c this morning.
