Botala Energy’s Pitse Pilot well 3.5B in Botswana is producing 200 barrels of water per day with measurable casing pressure despite limited reservoir drawdown, signalling effective stimulation and promising progress toward commercial coal bed methane production.
- Well 3.5B produces 200 barrels water daily with 6 psi casing pressure
- Water level remains 210m above target, leaving significant drawdown potential
- Water production rate five times higher than previous pilot well 3.1
- Positive pressure response from second coal seam at well 3.3
- Ongoing optimisation and completion activities across Pitse Pilot wellfield
Strong Early Signs from Pitse Pilot Well 3.5B
Botala Energy Ltd (ASX:BTE) has reported a robust early reservoir response from its principal production well 3.5B at the Pitse Pilot within the Serowe Coal Bed Methane Project in Botswana. The well is currently producing approximately 200 barrels of water per day and has developed about 6 psi of casing pressure, despite the water level remaining roughly 210 metres above the planned operating level. This suggests that only limited reservoir drawdown has occurred so far, leaving substantial potential to further reduce pressure and stimulate gas desorption.
The current water production rate at well 3.5B is around five times higher than the initial rate seen at pilot well 3.1 and more than double that of well 3.5A, the next highest producing pilot well. In coal bed methane (CBM) development, strong water production is a critical early indicator, as removing formation water lowers reservoir pressure and enables methane to be released from the coal seams.
Effective Stimulation and Reservoir Connectivity
Well 3.5B is the first to employ Botala’s targeted completion and stimulation approach designed to inform future commercial wells. The well underwent a single 1.5-hour stimulation stage using 2,200 barrels of fluid and 43.5 tons of sand, resulting in stable pressure conditions without spikes. The strong water flow and measurable casing pressure indicate that the stimulation has successfully established effective flow pathways between the wellbore and the surrounding gas-bearing coal reservoir.
Botala’s CEO Kris Martinick highlighted that the early performance “provides increasing confidence that the stimulation has effectively connected well 3.5B with the surrounding reservoir.” He emphasised that the company’s focus remains on carefully lowering reservoir pressure to allow the well to progressively demonstrate its gas production capability.
Positive Responses Across Multiple Coal Seams and Wells
Beyond well 3.5B, the broader Pitse Pilot wellfield is showing encouraging signs. Well 3.3, which targets the Upper Morupule seam, is rebuilding pressure after controlled bleed-off, suggesting that multiple coal seams are responding positively to dewatering. This could expand the pilot’s productive potential.
Meanwhile, Botala is advancing completion activities at well 3.2 and remediation work at well 3.1, alongside ongoing optimisation of pumping rates and reservoir drawdown across the pilot. These efforts aim to refine production testing and maximise reservoir performance ahead of commercial development.
Next Steps Toward Commercial Production
Botala plans to continue controlled dewatering and monitor water levels, casing pressure, and gas indicators at well 3.5B. The company also intends to perforate, stimulate, and bring well 3.2 online, and isolate the Lower Morupule seam in well 3.1 before restarting it on the remaining seams. Gas production rates will be reported once they become material and technically verified.
The Pitse Pilot is a critical stepping stone for Botala’s broader Serowe CBM Project, which aims to develop a domestic natural gas supply in Botswana to support power generation, industrial demand, and LNG exports to Southern Africa. With environmental approvals in place and a Bankable Feasibility Study underway, Botala is positioning itself to unlock the region’s coal bed methane potential.
Bottom Line?
While water production and pressure data from well 3.5B are promising, material gas flows remain to be demonstrated as Botala progresses controlled reservoir drawdown and pilot optimisation.
Questions in the middle?
- How quickly will gas production rates become material and verifiable at well 3.5B?
- Can multiple coal seams sustain commercial gas flows across the Pitse Pilot wellfield?
- What impact will completion and remediation activities at wells 3.1 and 3.2 have on overall pilot performance?