Beach Energy disclosed Thursday that the flow back of stimulation fluid and gas from the Halifax-1 well, located in the onshore ATP 855P permit, started Feb.11, 2012.
As at 1800 local time Wednesday, the flow was being constrained to 2.2 million standard cubic feet per day by a 24/64 inch choke due to temperature restrictions on elements of the surface equipment. It is anticipated that the choke will be further opened as the ratio of gas to fluid in the well stream increases.
The well reached total depth at 13,994 feet (4,267 meters), after which a 14 stage fracture stimulation program was completed throughout the whole of the gas saturated Permian target zone.
Seven stages were completed in the deeper Patchawarra Formation, one in the Murteree Shale, two in the Epsilon Formation, two in the Roseneath Shale, one in the Daralingie Formation and one in the Toolachee Formation.
Commenting on the well's results, Beach's Managing Director Reg Nelson said: "Halifax-1 is the fourth vertical well to have flowed gas from the unconventional exploration program that Beach has operated to date. Each well in the exploration program is integral to the program as a whole, with various data points obtained along the way. It is anticipated that Halifax-1 will provide relevant information over the coming months that will continue to move this unconventional play toward commercialization."
