Buru Energy Limited (ASX:BRU) (OTCMKTS:BRNGF) (FRA:BUD) has increased production from the Ungani Oilfield JV onshore in the Canning Basin in the southwest Kimberley region of Western Australia to in excess of 1,000 barrels of oil a day (bopd).
Field rates were previously averaging 800 bopd with all wells on production.
The 25% boost is attributable to an increase in rate from Ungani 5 as well as the stabilisation of rates from Ungani 7.
Water handling system upgrade
This rate increase and higher fluid volumes have been accompanied by a recent upgrade to the produced water handling system.
The upgrade has increased water handling capacity to that expected to be required for the continuing upgrades to the Electric Submersible Pumps (ESPs) in the existing wells and the planned Ungani 8 well life cycle.
Ungani 8 well is planned to be drilled as a horizontal well into the potentially undrained fault block originally targeted by the Ungani 6H well using the rig being mobilised for the upcoming exploration drilling program.
Electric Submersible Pump installed
At Ungani 5 well Buru has completed the installation of an ESP to replace the beam pump.
This work was carried out to enable the fluid production from the well to be increased which, as expected, has succeeded in lifting oil production.
The produced water injection facility has been upgraded.
The installation was carried out using the Buru Jacking Platform which provides an innovative, safe, and cost-effective way to optimise and maintain the completions in the Ungani wells.
READ: Buru Energy secures rig contract for major Canning Basin drilling campaign
These developments following the end of the northern Australia wet season coincide with Buru gearing for its 2021 Canning Basin drilling program.
This will include a three-well drilling program as well as an extensive 2D seismic program with more than 1,100 kilometres of data acquisition.
The two well exploration drilling program is on conventional oil prospects (Rafael and Kurrajong), targeting large prospective resources and will also include the Ungani 8 development well on the Ungani Oilfield that is expected to increase production rates and recover additional oil volumes.
Buru executive chairman Eric Streitberg said: “We are very pleased with the way the program is coming together in what will be a very big year for Buru in the Canning.
“We are drilling two of the largest onshore conventional oil prospects in Australia and success will be transformational for Buru, for the Kimberley and for Western Australia.”