Target Energy said yesterday that drilling at its Garwood Frio-1 well in Colorado County, Texas, about 112km west-southwest of Houston, started on Sunday June 3.

“It is anticipated that the well will take approximately one week to drill to the programmed total depth,” Target said.

Garwood Frio-1 will test an Oligocene age seismic amplitude anomaly at a depth of about 4100ft (1250m).

“Potential recoverable reserves (as defined by the seismic anomaly) range up to 3 billion cubic feet of gas,” Target said.

“The well will be drilled to a total depth of 4750ft (1448m) to test additional Miocene and Frio potential.”

Garwood Frio-1 is located on trend with other local Frio Sands gas discoveries and is within 1.6km of existing gas pipelines, according to Target.

Garwood Frio prospect working interest holders (subject to completion of earning phase) are Everest Resource Company 25% (operator), Target Energy 25% and Rosetta Resources Operating Company LP 50%.

Meanwhile, Burleson Energy is drilling ahead on its Yegua Properties Unit-1 gas/condensate well in Burleson County in east-central Texas.

“This is the first well in a program of up to 25 wells targeting gas and condensate in fractured chalk reservoirs,” the company said.

“The YPU-1 well has encountered gas and evidence of fracturing in its two target reservoirs. A 5000 foot horizontal section has been drilled in the lower (Georgetown) reservoir with multiple gas shows and gas kicks recorded.

“The well is currently drilling the start of the horizontal section in the primary, upper (Austin Chalk) reservoir. Gas and condensate from the two reservoirs will be connected by pipeline and sold into the local market within weeks of completing the well.”

Antares Energy is also working its Texan acreage, but this company is handling several concurrent projects.

At the HPY prospect in the Shaeffer Ranch project in Jim Wells County, operator SIDC spudded the Zwernemann-1 well on May 25 and reached total depth of 6100 feet on June 2.

“Indicated hydrocarbon pay has been interpreted within the Hockley sandstone with oil and gas being recovered with a formation testing tool,” Antares said. “Casing has now been run and cemented and a production test is now being planned.”

SIDC is also operator at the Yellow Rose project in McMullan County, from where it reports that acquisition of the 72 square mile 3D seismic survey is now about 75% complete.

Antares has a 50% stake in both of these projects.

At the New Taiton prospect in Wharton County, operator S Lavon Evans, Jr, operating company began fraccing operations on the Ilse-1 deep gas well yesterday. Antares has a 25% stake in this project. Perth-based Adelphi Energy is also a partner and is earning a 25% stake in the project.

At the Little Bear prospect in the Garcitas Ranch project in Victoria County, operator Hollimon Oil Corporation is preparing to suspend current production at the Garcitas Ranch C-1 well. The operator will set a temporary packer and test the next set of sands in the lower part of the upper Wilcox.

Garcitas Ranch C-2 is currently being flow tested over a 13 foot interval in the Middle Wilcox. As of yesterday morning, Perth time, the well had been flowing for 24 hours between 2.2-2.5MMcf/d and 100-120 barrels of condensate per day on a 9/64-inch choke with no water being produced, according to Antares.

“This well will now be produced from this sand for an extended period of time to determine the flow characteristics,” the company said.

“The well is currently connected to the sales pipeline so all production will be sold. Based on the flow results and pressure surveys this sand may be a candidate for fracture stimulation at a later date to further enhance flow rates or overcome near- well bore damage. The Upper Wilcox is still to be tested in this well.”

Antares has a 23.5% stake in this prospect.

Meanwhile at the Oyster Creek project’s Scott and Harrison prospects in Brazoria County, operator Slawson Exploration, has told Antares that final gas off-take negotiations are now almost complete and first gas sales are anticipated by early July. Antares has stakes in different parts of this project of between 67.5% and 75%.