Botala Energy’s Pitse Well 3.5B Hits Target Depth, Sets Stage for Flow Testing

Pitse Well 3.5B Achieves Key Drilling Milestone

Botala Energy Ltd (ASX:BTE) has announced that its principal commercial production well, Pitse Pilot well 3.5B, at the Serowe Coal Bed Methane (CBM) Project in Botswana has reached total depth of 449 metres. The well was drilled carefully to intersect the coal seams as planned, confirming the geological model that underpins Botala’s development strategy. This milestone marks the completion of the drilling phase for Botala’s first fully stimulated commercial production well, setting the stage for reservoir stimulation and flow testing.

Coal Seams Confirmed and Geological Model Validated

Rock chip samples collected during drilling confirmed the presence of the Serowe coal seams at approximately 377 metres depth, with total thickness around 10 metres, consistent with earlier estimates and correlating with offset wells 3.1 and 3.5A. The well sits on the planned 3-1/3-2 fault block, about 15 metres deeper than 3.5A, exactly matching the 20-metre fault displacement incorporated into the design. This structural confirmation validates Botala’s geological framework for the project, which is critical for planning perforation and stimulation programs.

Following drilling, the Exploration Geophysics wireline logging team arrived on site and began open-hole logging on 27 May. This logging will provide precise measurements of coal seam thickness, depth, porosity, and gas saturation proxies, which are vital inputs for the upcoming completion and flow testing phases. Formal coal seam characterisation results are expected early next week, representing the first data suitable for independent reserves assessment.

Completion Readiness and Next Steps Toward Production

Botala has advanced well completion preparations with key materials and infrastructure in place: stimulation chemicals are on site, the cementing system has been function-tested, and production casing staged. Water storage infrastructure is ready to support the multi-stage reservoir stimulation program designed to enhance gas flow. The company plans to undertake cement bond logging, perforation, and step rate testing before commencing a 90-day extended flow test to generate a Competent Persons Report dataset for potential reserves reclassification.

CEO Kris Martinick emphasised the deliberate and methodical approach taken to ensure wellbore quality and operational control, noting that learnings from this pilot well will inform more efficient drilling and completion cycles for subsequent wells. Meanwhile, four support wells are actively dewatering and progressing toward desorption points, managing reservoir pressure as the project advances.

Serowe CBM Project’s Role in Southern African Energy Supply

The Serowe CBM Project aims to develop a domestic natural gas source to support power generation, industrial demand, and LNG supply across Southern Africa. Project Pitse, comprising a cluster of six wells including 3.5B, is the first phase targeting commercial CBM production to underpin a Bankable Feasibility Study for a broader development of 108 wells, ultimately aiming for 3.5 petajoules of LNG per year.

Environmental approvals are fully in place, and the project is positioned to contribute to regional energy stability. The recent drilling progress follows Botala’s earlier capital raise and operational updates, which have supported ongoing development activities at Serowe share surge to Serowe and Serowe Pilot well nears completion.