Woodside hits gas at Larsen Deep, Woodside Petroleum Ltd.

Release Date: 2010-08-17

Australia’s Woodside Petroleum has struck gas at its Larsen Deep exploration well in permit WA-404-P in the Carnarvon basin off Western Australia.

The probe hit about 50 metres of gross gas over several zones within the Triassic target and will buoy hopes that the Australian giant may find enough gas in time to support an expansion of its Pluto liquefied natural gas project.

The Larsen Deep-1 well discovery, which comes just a day after Woodside announced a substantial gas find at the Alaric-1 well in a separate permit, may offer some relief for Woodside as its mixed exploration success recently had raised doubts it would find the required gas reserves for the expansion.

Woodside plans to drill the well to a total depth of 5030 metres and is currently drilling ahead at 4914 metres. Once drilling is complete, wireline logs will be carried out to find pressure and gas samples.

The Larsen Deep-1 well, which is being drilled by the Ocean America semi-submersible, is within nine kilometres to three of Woodside's existing gas discoveries which are closer to the original Pluto gas field. Its location is likely to mean it will be easier to pipe gas to the shore.

The Alaric-1 well, which lies in the Greater Carnavon basin is more than 500 kilometres out to sea and is the most remote exploration area on Woodside's plate in Western Australia.

Woodside operates the licence with a 50% stake on behalf of partner Hess.

Type:	NORMAL
Company:	Woodside Petroleum Ltd.
Country:	澳大利亚
Url:	http://www.upstreamonline.com/live/article225987.ece