Buru Energy Limited is likely to spud its development well at Ungani Oilfield this week, with the mobilisation of the Ensign 963 rig to site approximately 60 per cent complete.

The rig is being moved from the successful Rafael 1 exploration well Buru completed last week.

The planned high pressure gas flow test at Rafael 1 is expected to commence mid-January next year, with some delays caused by WA border closures.

Data from the Rafael 1 well has confirmed that the Upper Laurel Carbonate section above the current test zone in the Ungani Dolomite equivalent section is also dolomitised and has significant hydrocarbon potential.

This zone had good to excellent gas shows and weak oil shows in cuttings, and log analysis suggests there is up to a gross 75 metre hydrocarbon column (most probably wet gas) in this conventional reservoir section.

Buru executive chairman Eric Streitberg said while it was obviously disappointing to have to wait a few more weeks for the flow test results, it is important to conduct it safely and with appropriately qualified personnel.

He added: “It is worth the wait to make sure we can get the best results possible.

“We are mobilising all the required equipmentg to site so that we can get started as soon as the SGS personnel can get up to Rafael, and we have our wet season contingency plans in place to make sure there aren’t any hiccups on that side.”