A 27.8m core was cut and recovered in the Waarre Sandstone, which displayed good gas shows, according to junior partner Australian Worldwide Exploration.

“Preliminary analysis of wireline logs indicates that approximately 20m of reservoir quality sand is present within a 30m gross section,” AWE said.

“The well was purposely drilled down-dip from the crest of the Henry structure, and pressure data together with 3D seismic has indicated that a gas column of at least 250m is present.

“The Waarre sandstone reservoir is of sufficient quality that a production test is not considered necessary to prove deliverability for a commercial development.”

Gas samples will be taken from the reservoir sands to confirm the mudlog indications that the gas does not contain any abnormal contaminants.

Henry-1 is about 8.5km north-west of the Casino gas field in Vic/P44, where two successful gas development wells were recently completed.

The Henry-1 gas discovery maintained the 100% success rate for exploration wells drilled by the Vic/P44 joint venture, said AWE managing director Bruce Phillips.

“Given the results to date, and the nature of our gas sales agreement with TruEnergy, we are optimistic about a commercial development of the Henry field,” Phillips said.

“Three gas fields, Casino, Martha and now Henry, have been successfully found around the greater Pecten High in the Vic/P44 area, and several other prospects have already been delineated by the extensive 3D seismic surveying in the region.

“Given this situation, we are very encouraged about AWE’s long term future in the gas province that is clearly emerging in the offshore Otway basin.”

Participants in VIC/P 44 are: Santos (operator) 50%, AWE 25%, and Mittwell Energy Resources Pty Ltd 25%.