Origin, as operator of the Beetaloo Exploration Project, has confirmed that the Velkerri 76 S2-1 well (EP76) has been successfully spudded.

The Beetaloo Exploration Project is a joint venture between Origin and Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd.

The Velkerri 76 vertical well is being drilled to assess the prospectivity of liquids-rich gas in the eastern flank of the joint venture’s permit areas.

Core, wireline, and diagnostic fracture injection test (DFIT) data will be collected to inform potential future appraisal activity.

Environmental approval to drill the Velkerri 76 well was granted in late December 2019.

Origin also advises that a further extended production test has commenced at the Amungee NW-1H well (EP 98). Here, the joint venture is aiming to retest the dry gas Velkerri shale play to assess if all of the original stages that were fracture stimulated contributed to production.

An initial extended production test led to the announcement of a 6.6TCF 2C material gas resource on 15 February 2017.

Origin notes that activity was paused at Kyalla 117 well in July to investigate downhole flow restriction, and that preparations are continuing towards commencing an extended production test in the weeks ahead.

All work continues with Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority (AAPA) certification and the support of Native Title holders for where activity is occurring.