Significant Gas Resource Found Near PNG LNG
Significant volumes of gas have been found in Papua New Guinea via the Barikewa-3 well which is near the PNG LNG terminal, Santos said August 8.
A drill-stem test flowed gas to surface at 35 million feet3 per day, it said. The well, in petroleum permit PRL9, reached a total depth of 1,943 metres on July 15 and will be plugged and abandoned as planned upon completion of the test and data retrieval.
Santos managing director and CEO Kevin Gallagher said: “The Barikewa-3 result is encouraging and confirms that there are significant natural gas resources close to PNG LNG infrastructure still to be developed”.
“Barikewa is located approximately 10 kilometres from the PNG LNG gas pipeline and is therefore well placed to play a part in future LNG expansion projects,” he said.
Santos, through its wholly owned subsidiary Barracuda Limited, holds a 40% interest in the PRL9 joint venture, operated by Oil Search.
Both Santos (13.5%) and Oil Search (29%) are project participants in PNG LNG, which is operated by ExxonMobil (33.2%). JX Nippon Oil and Gas Exploration Company (4.7%) and Mineral Resources Development (2.8%) also have interests.