The 97 m near-horizontal reservoir section of the well has now been completed, with the production string being installed and testing and preparations for well flow back to commence soon.
The well is expected to be ready for flow back within five to seven days, one week later than expected due to issues associated with the downhole service tool.
After the clean-up and flow of Sole-3, the drilling rig will be moved to Sole-4 to resume drilling and completion of that well.
Sole-4 has been already drilled to a depth of 532 m Measured Depth below Rotary Table (MDRT) in the Gippsland Limestone, with the casing installed and cemented in place, with the wellhead installed and tested.
Cooper is developing the Sole gas field in VIC/L32 in the Gippsland Basin, offshore Victoria.
The field is being developed to supply approximately 24 PJ/a from mid-2019, with approximately 75 per cent of the field’s reserves contracted to a range of utility and industrial customers including AGL Energy, EnergyAustralia, Alinta Energy and O-I.
Cooper Energy, which holds 100 per cent equity in the Sole gas field, is undertaking the $355 million offshore development, while APA Group is conducting a $250 million upgrade to the onshore Orbost Gas Processing Plant to enable processing of gas from Sole.