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    1. Drilling & Completion

    Positive appraisal flow test results advance Dorado offshore Western Australia

    Oct. 8, 2019
    Santos has reported the initial flow test of the Caley reservoir from the Dorado-3 appraisal well offshore Western Australia has confirmed the main oil pool in the field is capable of producing flow rates at the higher end of pre-drill expectations.
    (Courtesy Santos)
    The jackup Noble Tom Prosser drilled the Dorado-3 appraisal in the Bedout basin offshore Western Australia.
    The jackup Noble Tom Prosser drilled the Dorado-3 appraisal in the Bedout basin offshore Western Australia.

    Offshore staff

    ADELAIDE, Australia – Santos has reported the initial flow test of the Caley reservoir from the Dorado-3 appraisal well offshore Western Australia has confirmed the main oil pool in the field is capable of producing flow rates at the higher end of pre-drill expectations.

    The initial clean-up flow test of the Caley reservoir in the Dorado field in the Bedout basin was conducted over a 12-hour period and achieved a maximum measured rate of about 11,100 b/d of oil and 21 MMscf/d of associated gas through a 68/64-in. choke.

    The oil rate is one of the highest ever from a North West Shelf appraisal well test, the company claimed.

    The test was conducted over an 11-m (36-ft) net interval between 3,999 and 4,015 m (13,120 and 13,173 ft) measured depth and achieved with only 220 psi (15 bar) of drawdown.

    As with the recent Baxter test, the Caley production was constrained by surface equipment, indicating the reservoir has the capacity to flow at significantly higher rates, the company said.

    Santos Managing Director and CEO Kevin Gallagher said: “The results are very encouraging for development of the shallow-water Dorado field, with the test indicating very high potential flow rates of around 30,000 b/d from each single production well in the Caley reservoir. This positive result represents a significant step in progressing Dorado as one of Santos’ most exciting new development projects.”

    The Caley flow test was the second of two for the Dorado field, following the Baxter test late last month which confirmed excellent productivity and fluid quality. Together, these results strongly support progress toward FEED entry in early 2020.

    Dorado-3 is in petroleum permit WA-437-P about 160 km (90 mi) north of Port Hedland. Santos is the operator and has 80% interest, and Carnarvon Petroleum Ltd. has 20%.

    The jackup Noble Tom Prosser drilled Dorado-3 in a water depth of 95 m (312 ft) and reached a total measured depth of 4,643 m (15,233 ft).

    Once operations are completed, the well will be P&A’d as planned, thereby concluding Santos’ 2019 offshore drilling program.

    (Map courtesy Santos)
    The Dorado field is in petroleum permit WA-437-P in the Bedout basin offshore Western Australia.
    The Dorado field is in petroleum permit WA-437-P in the Bedout basin offshore Western Australia.

    10/08/2019