Buru Energy Ltd (ASX:BRU)’s Rafael 1 well in the Canning Basin in northwest Western Australia has had a successful initial flow test with gas flows to the surface.
During the initial stabilised portion of the clean-up period, the gas rate was estimated to be flowing at between 4 to 5 million cubic feet per day on a 32/64” fixed choke with a wellhead flowing pressure of 970 psi.
The test commenced on February 25 and gas flows to surface accompanied by condensate were obtained during the initial clean-up flow that recovered the bulk of the completion fluid.
The indicative condensate gas ratio (CGR) was estimated to be between 20 to 30 barrels of condensate per million cubic feet of gas.
However, these are field measurements and need to be verified by the continued sampling program and laboratory analysis.
Field measured gas quality was excellent with only 2% CO2 content observed.
A static gradient pressure survey undertaken as part of the program confirmed bottom hole pressures in excess of 6,000 psi.
Testing of other zones
Buru Energy executive chairman Eric Streitberg said: “This is the first sustained gas flow from conventional reservoirs in the Canning Basin and has demonstrated the producibility of the gas and condensate accumulation in place at Rafael.
“We now need to obtain the additional flow data and gas analyses from this test and integrate these into our reservoir models.
“We also need to plan for testing of the other zones in the well including the upper part of the Ungani Dolomite zone, where the gas influx occurred during the drilling of the well, and the Upper Laurel Carbonate section, both of which are behind casing.
“We are also on track to have an independent resource estimate completed for the Ungani Dolomite section in three to four weeks’ time and this will help to guide our forward plans for appraisal of the accumulation.”
Rafael 1
Rafael 1 well encountered several zones of interpreted gas saturations in conventional dolomite reservoirs when it was drilled in late 2021.
The lowermost reservoir zone in the Ungani Dolomite equivalent section was interpreted to have a 165-metre gas column of which the lower 70 metres was in the open hole section below the 7-inch casing shoe at 3,868 metres.
The current flow testing program is of this lower open hole section of the interpreted greater gas column.
Forward program
Buru's test program was suspended on February 27 due to the approach of Cyclone Anika with all crew safely demobilised from the well location.
Once the cyclone conditions pass, the test will resume with a longer flow period and the acquisition of separator samples to determine more accurately the condensate and LPG content of the gas stream.