Latest Kupe well completed offshore New Zealand

Offshore staff

ADELAIDE, Australia — The Valaris 107 jackup rig has completed drilling the Kupe South 9 development in the Taranaki Basin offshore New Zealand, Beach Energy said in its latest results statement.

It was drilled to a TD of 3,630 m and intersected 26 m of net gas pay across two separate flow units within the Kupe Field’s eastern fault block. The well was then cased and completed for production and connected to the onshore Kupe Gas Plant.

Offshore Victoria, southeast Australia, preparations progressed for connecting the Thylacine West 1 and 2 development wells to the Otway Gas Plant. Manufacture of a replacement flowline is in progress. The company has contracted a transportation and installation vessel and has also ordered long lead items.

Both wells should be connected in the first half of next year, and planning and community consultation also continues for the next phase of offshore Victoria activity.

Beach is part of a consortium that booked the Transocean Equinox drilling rig for a program starting in 2025. The company plans to use its slots for development of the Artisan and La Bella gas discoveries, exploration drilling and well decommissioning.

Confirmation of schedules, prospects and well numbers remain subject to seabed assessments, joint venture and regulatory approvals and a final investment decision.

Recent nearshore activity for the Enterprise gas project, targeted for startup late this year, has included completion of pipeline tie-ins at the Otway Gas Plant and wellsite preparations for commissioning. Beach has signed an agreement to supply Origin with gas from the Enterprise Field until the end of 2026.

In the offshore Bass Basin, well performance has improved following completion of well intervention works. Interpretation has also finished of the Prion 3D seismic survey acquired over the White Ibis, Bass and Trefoil discoveries, with assessment underway of development options.

01.25.2024