“A number of possible hydrocarbon-bearing zones have been penetrated within the Patchawarra Formation, with shows continuing till total depth through the Tirrawarra and Merrimelia Formations,” Great Artesian said.

“Wireline logs will now be run to evaluate these zones. Evaluation is likely to continue for several days.”

Paprika-1 is testing an anticlinal structure about 13km southwest of the Cadenza-1 new field gas discovery, 7.5km northwest of the Rossco-1 new field gas discovery, 10km south of the Nulla field and 7.4km north of Smegsy field.

Based on nearby well penetrations, there could be up to 50m of stacked net sand and pre-drill estimates of the volumetric potential for in-place gas range between 9 billion cubic feet (P90) and 70 bcf (P10) with a P50 of 30 bcf, according to Great Artesian.

Ensign Rig #30 started drilling Paprika-1 at 0100 CST on June 11.

Paprika-1 is being fully funded by farminees Kompliment (a subsidiary of Energy Investments) and Traditional Oil Exploration (a subsidiary of Enterprise Energy).

In the event of a commercial discovery, interests in any resultant production license will be Great Artesian (operator with a 50% stake), Energy Investments (37.5%) and Enterprise Energy (12.5%).

Paprika-1 is the fourth well drilled within PEL 106 this year. All three previous wells – Udacha-1, Middleton-1 and Cadenza-1 – have been cased and suspended as new field gas discoveries and potential future gas/condensate producers from the Patchawarra Formation.