Strike Energy has successfully drilled the Walyering West-1 well, revealing a new conventional gas accumulation in the Perth Basin with promising reservoir characteristics and proximity to existing infrastructure.
- Walyering West-1 well reached 3,650m depth
- Multiple sandstone reservoirs show net pay and porosity
- Flow testing planned to assess commercial viability
- Well located 3km from Walyering Gas Processing Facility
- Results to guide near-field development strategy
New Conventional Gas Discovery in Perth Basin
Strike Energy Limited (ASX:STX) has confirmed a new conventional gas accumulation at its Walyering West-1 well, drilled to a total depth of 3,650 metres in the Perth Basin. The well encountered multiple sandstone reservoirs within Jurassic-aged Cattamarra Coal Measures, with net pay zones ranging from 0.5 to 11.9 metres and average porosities up to 12.9%. This discovery adds to Strike’s growing footprint in the region, following recent upgrades to its West Erregulla reserves and ongoing development at South Erregulla.
Reservoir analysis identified three main pay intervals: the A Sub 1 sand with 4.3 metres net pay at 12.9% porosity, the C1 sand with 11.3 metres net pay at 11.4% porosity, and the combined D1-D4 sands totaling 11.9 metres net pay at around 9.2% porosity. These characteristics are analogous to the nearby Walyering Gas field, suggesting the new accumulation could be commercially significant once flow testing is complete.
Strategic Location Enables Swift Progression
The Walyering West-1 well sits approximately three kilometres from existing processing infrastructure at the Walyering Gas Processing Facility. This proximity positions Strike to rapidly move towards flow testing and, subject to positive results, a tie-back development. The company is currently preparing to run casing and cement the well, with cased hole logging and completion operations scheduled to enable production testing within the current financial year.
Strike’s Managing Director Peter Stokes highlighted the well’s success in confirming gas-bearing reservoirs close to existing infrastructure, which could accelerate development timelines. The results will also inform future drilling and development plans in the near-field area, potentially unlocking additional resources within the Perth Basin. This follows the company’s recent 19 percent reserves upgrade at West Erregulla, reinforcing its position in Western Australia’s gas market.
Pending Flow Testing to Determine Commercial Potential
While wireline fluid sampling was not possible due to wellbore conditions, Strike collected mud logs, logging-while-drilling data, and pressure measurements to evaluate the sandstone intervals. Fluid sampling is now planned during flow testing, which will be critical to ascertain reservoir deliverability and commercial viability. The company’s approach echoes its methodical development strategy seen in other projects, such as the South Erregulla Power Project, which recently benefited from a 35 percent capacity price increase boosting project economics.
Strike’s ongoing investment in exploration and development underscores its commitment to expanding its gas supply portfolio amid Western Australia’s evolving energy landscape. The Walyering West-1 results add a new dimension to this strategy, offering a near-field conventional gas resource that could complement the company’s existing unconventional and power generation assets.
Bottom Line?
Flow testing results will be pivotal in defining the commercial scope of the Walyering West discovery and shaping Strike’s next development steps.
Questions in the middle?
- How will flow testing outcomes influence the timing of Walyering West tie-back?
- What potential does Walyering West have to expand beyond initial reservoir horizons?
- Could this discovery shift Strike’s broader gas supply strategy in the Perth Basin?