Buru Energy has detected up to 4.9 per cent hydrogen over small intervals at the Rafael 1 well in the Canning Basin, Western Australia.
The specialised hydrogen mudgas detection unit on the rig has also detected hydrogen up to two per cent in the zone with mudgas hydrocarbon.
“The somewhat unexpected but very welcome presence of hydrocarbon shows with additional indications of above background helium and hydrogen content in the sandstones above the expected main reservoir section indicates that there is an active petroleum system and valid trapping mechanism at the Rafael location,” Buru Energy executive chairman Eric Streitberg said.
The company advised that these hydrogen indications will be further evaluated, but together with a number of legacy wells that encountered hydrogen, they demonstrated the widespread occurrence of natural hydrogen in the Canning Basin.
In addition, since the last report the Rafael well has been drilled ahead in 12¼-inch hole to the planned section depth of 3500 metres, and wireline logging have been completed to that section depth.
The current operation is proceeding as planned to complete the running and cementing of the 244mm casing. The prognosed principal reservoir objective is to reach a final total depth of 4,000 metres.
Drilling operations have been consistent with no significant rig-related downtime; however, the rate of penetration has been slow due to hard and abrasive sandstones in the Anderson Formation.
It is expected that drilling rates from this point will increase in the smaller hole size and different formations.
The Rafael 1 well is located in Exploration Permit EP 428 in the Canning Basin in northwest Western Australia.
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