The results now cast a shadow over the resource potential of the standout gas discovery of Lockyer Deep-1 and the Greater Lockyer resource.
Robertson has headed the Energy Resources division since 2018 and prior to that was chief at Norwest Energy, which holds 20% of the Lockyer Deep field.
MinRes launched a takeover bid for Norwest last year in an all-scrip deal recommended unanimously by the board. It currently holds over 76% of Norwest.
The takeover offer has been extended several times.
The well was designed to prove up the gas resource discovered by the Lockyer Deep-1 exploration well of 2021. However Norwest said today the reservoir is water saturated and "sampling confirms that the aquifer is at substantially higher pressure than previously interpreted".
"This result impacts the resource potential of the Lockyer Deep-1 discovery, as the anomalously high aquifer pressure indicates a much reduced gas column
"The freewater line is now interpreted to be at a depth of approximately 4,007 metres, with the potential resource area now estimated by Norwest to be approximately 11 km."
Lockyer Deep-1 flowed at rates of a huge 130 million cubic feet per day in 2022. The Norwest takeover was based on the notion that control of a large gas resource would give the miner access to cheap energy for its mine sites.
The rig is now being moved to drill the second well in the campaign, North Erregulla-1.
Norwest says the poor results do not however change the geological chance of success of the well but will "materially" downgrade the resource potential of the Greater Lockyer structure.
Robertson oversaw Norwest when it was still partnered with Triangle Energy and Whitebark Energy chasing nearshore Perth Basin oil via the Xanadu discovery of late 2017.
Energy News understands the departure had been in the works for a while but was only announced by Robertson yesterday, who said she plans to spend more time with family, and travel.
Norwest has only fallen by 1.66% today on the news.
