Tamboran Resources Corporation (ASX:TBN, NYSE:TBN, OTC:TBNRL)'s Shenandoah South 2H sidetrack (SS-2H ST1) well has achieved a Beetaloo Basin record average 90-day initial production (IP90) flow rate of 6.7 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) over a 5,483-foot stimulated horizontal within the Mid Velkerri B Shale.
Flow rates over the final 30 days increased by approximately 2% without downhole intervention, maintaining a 44/64-inch choke. At the end of the 90-day period, the well flowed at 6.5 MMcf/d with wellhead pressure of around 700 psi, only a 3% decline from Day 60.
Breakdown of the SS-2H ST1 IP90 flow result.
“The performance and character of the SS-2H ST1 well is unique compared to hundreds of wells I have seen in my career. With flow rates increasing over the last 30 days to 6.5 MMcf/d, without downhole intervention or adjustments to choke, I believe we are seeing the enhanced matrix connectivity achieved during the stimulation program. The SS-2H ST1 well represents another encouraging data point as we better understand the Velkerri B Shale’s ultimate performance and recovery," Tamboran Resources Corporation chairman and interim CEO Richard Stoneburner said.
“Most importantly, at the end of the 90-day period, the well continued to slowly clean up, suggesting that it could have sustained the current rate beyond the testing interval. This data will be important as we prepare to stimulate our first 10,000-foot horizontal section in the Shenandoah South area by the end of the year.
“These results, combined with the SS-1H flow rates in 2024, show the significant potential of the large acreage position surrounding the Shenandoah South area, where we are currently progressing a farm-down of ~400,000 acres. The farm-down acreage is expected to be developed over the coming years to supply into the anticipated shortfall emerging in the East Coast gas market.”
The well is now suspended ahead of first gas sales to the Northern Territory Government via the Sturt Plateau Compression Facility in mid-2026, subject to weather and final approvals. Meanwhile, drilling of the three-well 2025 Shenandoah South campaign is progressing, marking the first multi-well batch drilling program in the Beetaloo Basin.
Record flow performance and technical details
The SS-2H ST1 well, located in Tamboran-operated EP 98, was stimulated over a 1,671-metre lateral section in the Mid Velkerri B Shale, completing 35 fracture stages. Cumulative production over the IP90 period was 601.2 MMcf, with flowing wellhead pressure drawn down from 4,565 to ~700 psi.
SS-2H ST1 IP90 flow rate vs SS-1H and T3H.
From Day 61 to 90, gas rates rose from 6.4 to 6.5 MMcf/d, averaging 6.4 MMcf/d over the period. Choke size remained unchanged at 44/64-inch. Hydrocarbon composition was 91.7% methane, 2.7% ethane, and minor propane and butane, with associated CO₂ at 3.5% and nitrogen at 1.9%.
Flow tests from Beetaloo Basin wells at Shenandoah South compared to wells drilled in the Marcellus Shale in the dry gas area. SS-2H ST1 aligns with average IP90 rates from more than 11,000 well data set.
Average proppant concentration was 2,706 pounds per foot, with more than 14 million pounds of sand placed. Water production during cleanup averaged 40–70 barrels per day, totalling 26,695 barrels since testing began.
Relative performance between SS-1H and SS-2H ST1 from Day 31.
Development implications and forward plans
Tamboran plans to stimulate its first 10,000-foot horizontal section in the Shenandoah South area by year-end, leveraging insights from SS-2H ST1 and 2024’s SS-1H results. The company sees the acreage as key to meeting anticipated East Coast gas shortfalls and is progressing a farm-down of approximately 400,000 acres in the area.
In the current campaign, intermediate sections of SS-5H and SS-6H have been drilled, with the rig now on SS-4H.
Once these are complete, drilling will proceed to the 10,000-foot horizontal sections across all three wells.