Empire strides ahead with NT survey plans

Empire Energy

Empire Energy has outlIned in its 2021 half year report that subject to approval of its environment management plan (EMP), the company is planning to carry out a 165km 2D seismic survey in the Northern Territory.

The company plan to undertake the survey in EP187, with the seven line survey further assessing the continuity of the Velkerri shale resource.

Results from the survey will be integrated with existing 2D seismic data coverage.

Chairman Paul Espie and managing director Alex Underwood said planning for the drilling of the Carpentaria-2 well, Empire’s first horizontal appraisal well, is well advanced.

Its objective will be to demonstrate commercial flow rates and better understand gas composition over distance within the project area.

Empire expects that this will significantly enhance its contingent resource position and add support to discussions with prospective gas customers and transportation owners as it advances its commercialisation strategy.

“Following completion of the Pangaea and EMG Northern Territory (EMG NT) acquisition, the Empire team is carrying out further analysis and planning over the acquired Western Beetaloo acreage,” Espie and Underwood reported.

“Around $110 million has been spent on these areas by the Pangaea / EMG joint venture. The extensive technical data is being integrated with Empire’s existing dataset.”

The Empire team is preparing to further engage with the stakeholders including pastoralists and Traditional Owners in the core areas this year, ahead of proposed on-ground activities commencing in 2022, to progress preferred horizontal drilling locations.

In addition, Empire’s EMP for infill 2D seismic and the drilling of up to seven horizontal wells on EP187 is being considered by the Northern Territory Government.

This has received conditional approval which has facilitated a commencement of preparatory works including seismic acquisition and access track and well pad preparation, with final drilling and fracture stimulation approvals expected in the coming weeks.

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