Empire Energy has announced an increase in Carpentaria-1 flow rates just as the Carpentaria-2H drilling is scheduled to begin in the Northern Territory.
Managing director Alex Underwood said the success in these field activities will drive prospective resource assessment for EP187 with results expected in the first quarter of 2022.
“Activity in Empire’s 100 per cent owned and operated EP187 in the Beetaloo Sub-Basin is ramping up substantially,” said Underwood.
“We are seeing encouraging results at Carpentaria-1 where flow testing has recommenced, with a 45 per cent increase in flow rates over the first 10 days compared to the rates achieved prior to shut-in.”
Empire’s technical team believes the uplift in production rates may be due to diffusion of water into the Middle Velkerri shale during the shutdown period beginning 16 July due to COVID-19.
Empire said the company has received all key Norther Territory Government approvals for a broad appraisal program, including drilling of Carpentaria-2H.
Rig mobilisation to site has commenced, and Empire expects drilling to commence at the end of October.
Civil works are now well underway for the 2H well, including the construction of the Carpentaria Highway turnoff, access roads and the well pad.
The vertical section of Carpentaria-2H will target the same Velkerri Formation shales as Carpentaria-1, only 200 m deeper.
In November, Empire will carry out an infill seismic survey to better define the Velkerri shale resources across EP187 and to delineate future drilling locations.
Carpentaria-2H well will be drilled 11 km north of Carpentaria-1, with the Highway and McArthur River Pipeline located midway between the two.
Subscribe to Oil & Gas Today for the latest industry news.