3D Energi (ASX: TDO) has confirmed gas-bearing intervals in both the Waarre A and Waarre C reservoirs at its Essington-1 exploration well in the offshore Otway Basin, with wireline logging and pressure data indicating the presence of moveable gas.
The well, located in the VIC/P79 exploration permit, reached a total depth of 2,735 metres safely and without incident after intersecting both reservoir targets close to pre-drill predictions.
A program of wireline formation testing using Schlumberger’s Ora platform is now under way to obtain downhole gas samples and assess reservoir mobility and deliverability.
Significant Gas Intervals Intersected
Essington-1 recorded elevated gas readings in both reservoirs that coincided with high resistivity responses on Logging While Drilling tools, prompting a full formation evaluation across the 8½-inch section.
Wireline logs indicate a gross 62.6m gas-bearing interval in the primary Waarre A reservoir, including 58.5m of interpreted net pay.
In the secondary Waarre C reservoir, the company reported 33.2m of gross gas-bearing interval with 31.5m of interpreted net pay, describing the reservoir quality in both zones as consistent with pre-drill expectations.
Executive chair Noel Newell said the early results were “very encouraging,” noting that clear indications of gas-bearing sandstones had been encountered in both the primary and secondary targets.
He said the company remains appropriately cautious until formation testing is completed but described the results as consistent with its comprehensive pre-drill technical evaluation.
Ora Testing to Determine Deliverability
The Ora intelligent wireline formation testing platform will run controlled drawdowns and pressure buildups across up to two zones within the Waarre A reservoir.
The testing will aim to confirm reservoir connectivity, determine hydrocarbon phase and composition, and recover representative gas samples for laboratory PVT and compositional analysis.
Findings from the Ora program will be released once available and will be used to assess the commercial significance of the Essington prospect.
The Essington-1 prospect lies within a broader Otway Basin exploration effort targeting conventional gas potential in proven Waarre reservoir units.
3D Energi holds a 20% interest in the VIC/P79 joint venture, with operator ConocoPhillips Australia owning 51%, and Korea National Oil Company 29%.
