A drillstem test (DST-1) was conducted on August 30, 2009 over a six meter (m) interval (1649-1655m) within the Birkhead Formation that had exhibited oil shows during drilling. Approximately 3.5 barrels of oil (48.2° API at 60°F) were recovered from the drillpipe after a three hour flow period. Extrapolation of this recovery volume and independent measurement of inflow rates from the DST pressures both indicate that the zone is not capable of producing oil at a commercial rate.
Brad Lingo, managing director, said “We are very encouraged by this result. Although Marino-1 encountered poor reservoir in the pay zone, deeper in the Birkhead there was much better reservoir development and a cleaner sand package. Since the success of Victoria Petroleum in the Birkhead ‘channel-sand’ play in PEL 104 and PEL 111 to the north of us, we have been extremely interested in pursuing this significant trend in PEL 91. The joint venture will need to make some significant decisions on how and where to follow-up this Birkhead oil discovery over the remainder of PEL 91. This does give us even more encouragement to expand the 3D seismic coverage and intensify our exploration efforts in PEL 91, focussing on both the Namur and Birkhead objectives.”
Working Interests in the Marino-1 well are: Drillsearch Energy 60% and Beach Petroleum Limited 40%
