Quadrant Energy has started drilling at the Outtrim East-1 well in the North West Shelf of Western Australia, according to partner Carnarvon Petroleum.
Using the Noble Tom Prosser jackup, Quadrant will explore additional hydrocarbon bearing sands to the north and east of the hydrocarbon reservoir seen at the Outtrim-1 oil discovery.
Carnarvon said the forward plan is to drill to a depth of approximately 1300m, which is expected to be just above the Pyrenees Formation, which was oil-bearing in the Outtrim-1 well situated approximately 1km away.
It is then planned to obtain around 90m of conventional core. After obtaining the core, the final section of the well will be drilled to a total depth of 1440m.
The joint venture expects to be in a position to report on whether the target formations are hydrocarbon bearing, and the extent of any reservoir sands intersected, after completion of the wireline logging and pressure and fluid sampling program.
This is scheduled to be the final process in the well, namely after coring is complete. Carnarvon expects the estimate of recoverable volumes for the Outtrim and Outtrim East structures to follow receipt of laboratory tests, a process that will take several months after completion of the well, the company said.
The Outtrim East-1 well is located within the WA-155-P(1) exploration permit. Quadrant has 71.5% interest in the license and Carnarvon holds the remaining 28.5%.