Botala Energy’s Pitse Pilot well 3.5B in Botswana has successfully completed hydraulic stimulation and entered commercial production testing, marking a critical step toward establishing gas flow rates above 70 GJ/day.
- Successful hydraulic stimulation completed on Pitse Pilot well 3.5B
- Approximately 30% of stimulation fluid recovered, confirming effective placement
- Strong reservoir response with immediate water flowback after depressurisation
- Controlled dewatering underway targeting sustained gas production above 70 GJ/day
- Upcoming milestones include first gas breakthrough and updated reserves certification
Pitse Pilot Well 3.5B Moves Into Production Testing
Botala Energy Ltd (ASX:BTE) has shifted gears at its Serowe Coal Bed Methane (CBM) Project in Botswana, advancing its Pitse Pilot well 3.5B into commercial production testing following successful hydraulic stimulation. This milestone marks the culmination of years of reservoir appraisal and engineering, positioning the well to demonstrate its capacity for sustainable gas production.
The stimulation process, designed to enhance permeability by creating conductive pathways through the coal seams, was evidently effective. Around 30% of the injected stimulation fluid was recovered during flowback, a positive indicator that the treatment fluid was properly placed within the coal formation rather than flowing straight back to surface.
Reservoir Response Signals Connectivity
Following depressurisation of the wellhead from approximately 47 psi to below atmospheric pressure, water from the surrounding coal reservoir immediately began flowing back into the well. This response confirms hydraulic communication between the wellbore and the stimulated coal reservoir, suggesting the newly opened flow pathways are functional. Notably, no proppant (sand) was recovered during flowback, indicating the stimulation materials remain in place to support these pathways.
Controlled dewatering is now underway, a crucial phase where reservoir pressure is gradually reduced to allow methane gas to desorb from the coal and flow into the well. Botala is targeting a sustained gas production rate above its internal commercial benchmark of approximately 70 gigajoules (GJ) per day. For context, a nearby analogue well, MAS-13, has demonstrated sustained production around 120 GJ/day, providing a promising reference point.
Next Steps and Development Pathway
The company’s immediate focus is on achieving first gas breakthrough, progressively increasing gas flow while water production declines, and conducting detailed flow testing to evaluate commercial viability. These results will feed into an updated reserves certification and support the completion of a Phase 2 mini-LNG Bankable Feasibility Study (BFS), essential for scaling up Serowe’s domestic gas development and LNG production ambitions.
Serowe is envisioned as a domestic gas source to underpin power generation, industrial demand, and LNG supply for Southern Africa. The project, wholly owned by Botala through its Botswana subsidiary, is fully approved environmentally and aims to develop a gas production capacity of 3.5 petajoules per year from around 108 wells.
Botala’s CEO Kris Martinick described the transition from stimulation to production as a pivotal moment: "We have passed every checkpoint to date and eagerly await first gas from 3.5B as we advance our scalable domestic gas development at a time of increasing regional demand for reliable energy."
Technical Details and Regulatory Compliance
The well, located within Mining Licence ML-52, targets coal seams at depths of 377m and 397m, with a total coal thickness of 23m comprising the Serowe and Upper Morupule seams. The stimulation involved a single 1.5-hour stage injecting 2,200 barrels of fluid and 43.5 tons of sand at a steady rate, with stable pressure maintained throughout. Diagnostic and step-rate tests have been completed, setting the stage for the ongoing flow testing phase.
All environmental approvals are secured for the Serowe gasfield, LNG facilities, energy hubs, and pipeline corridor. Botala cautions that timelines and funding for ongoing activities remain subject to review and prioritisation.
Bottom Line?
The successful stimulation and transition to production testing at well 3.5B are crucial steps, but sustained gas flow and flow testing results will ultimately determine the commercial viability of Botala’s Serowe CBM Project.
Questions in the middle?
- Will well 3.5B achieve and sustain gas production above the 70 GJ/day benchmark?
- How will flow testing outcomes influence the scope and timing of the Phase 2 mini-LNG BFS?
- What are the funding and timeline risks associated with scaling the Serowe project to full development?