ConocoPhillips hits gas at Pharos-1

ConocoPhillips encountered a hydrocarbon pay in the Browse basin, off Western Australia, according to partner Karoon Gas.

Karoon said the Pharos-1 well, in permit WA-398-P, showed a 53m gross interval, with a 34m net pay interpreted in the gas charged Montara formation sandstone reservoir.

“There is a presence of movable hydrocarbons that is supported by petrophysical log interpretation, formation pressure gradients and downhole gas sampling. Preparations for a production test will begin on the completion of the wireline logging program,” the Australian company said yesterday.

Pharos‐1, the sixth and final well in the Browse basin phase 2 exploration drilling campaign, was drilled by the mid-water semisubmersible Transocean Legend. Pharos-1 is about 5.59m (9km) northeast of the Proteus‐1 well and will serve as a further test of the ProteusCrown trend. The well istargeting an extension of the discovery made at Proteus‐1, which established excellent reservoir quality and condensate bearing gas in August 2013 in the Montara formation.

Since the last update, the 6.5½-in. hole section was drilled from 4949m from the rotary table (RT) to a total depth of 5220m RT. Final total depth was reached on 10 July. Wireline logging operations began 12 July and are ongoing, Karoon said.

ConocoPhillips operates the WA‐398‐P Browse basin permit; Karoon Gas Australia holds the remaining 40%.