3D Energi has confirmed a promising gas-condensate find at the Essington-1 well using innovative Ora formation testing, marking the technology's Australian debut and setting the stage for further exploration in the Otway Basin.
- Gas-condensate discovery confirmed in Waarre A and C reservoirs
- Ora formation testing successfully deployed for first time in Australia
- Testing across three zones shows moderate to excellent reservoir quality
- Low CO2 concentrations detected, supporting favorable development conditions
- Results to inform resource estimates and next drilling at Charlemont-1
Innovative Testing Confirms Gas-Condensate Discovery
3D Energi Limited has announced a significant milestone in its Otway Basin exploration program with the confirmation of a gas-condensate discovery at the Essington-1 well. The discovery spans the primary Waarre A and secondary Waarre C reservoirs within the VIC/P79 permit, where 3D Energi holds a 20% interest. This announcement follows the successful deployment of Schlumberger’s Ora formation testing platform, a first for Australia, which has provided high-quality reservoir data while minimizing environmental impact.
Ora Formation Testing, A New Benchmark in Reservoir Evaluation
Ora formation testing represents a step-change in reservoir evaluation technology. Unlike traditional methods that require extended well flow and flaring, Ora uses controlled pressure drawdowns and build-ups to measure reservoir permeability, fluid mobility, and connectivity with minimal hydrocarbon flow to surface. This approach not only reduces operational time and costs but also significantly lowers the environmental footprint, aligning with growing industry and community expectations for responsible resource development.
Detailed Insights Across Reservoir Zones
The testing program focused on three distinct zones within the Waarre A reservoir, selected to capture a range of reservoir qualities. Two zones exhibited moderate to excellent reservoir properties, confirming the presence of moveable, producible gas-condensate. The third zone, characterized by low-quality argillaceous siltstone, was tested to define the lower limit of moveable gas, yielding valuable data to refine geological models and resource estimates. Fluid analysis from the tests indicates a gas-condensate system with low CO2 concentrations (3-4%), a favorable attribute for future processing and emissions management.
Next Steps and Commercial Implications
While the Ora results provide strong technical evidence of reservoir deliverability, 3D Energi cautions that these findings are one component of a broader commercial evaluation. The company will integrate these data with other subsurface information to update resource estimates and assess development pathways. The Essington-1 well will be plugged and abandoned as planned, with the rig moving to drill the Charlemont-1 well approximately 20 kilometers northwest, where the company aims to replicate its success.
Executive Perspective
Executive Chairman Noel Newell highlighted the significance of the discovery and the innovative testing approach, emphasizing the value of high-quality data obtained with reduced environmental impact. This breakthrough sets a positive tone for the Otway Exploration Program and underscores 3D Energi’s commitment to leveraging advanced technologies to unlock Australia’s offshore energy potential.
Bottom Line?
3D Energi’s pioneering use of Ora testing in Australia not only confirms a promising gas-condensate discovery but also signals a new era of environmentally conscious exploration in the Otway Basin.
Questions in the middle?
- How will laboratory compositional and PVT analyses refine the understanding of reservoir fluids?
- What are the commercial development scenarios being considered based on these new data?
- Can the success at Essington-1 be replicated at the upcoming Charlemont-1 well?