News of significant gas discovery by WA Petroleum in the Carnarvon Basin welcomed

8/11/99

Mines Minister Norman Moore said he was extremely pleased by the news that West Australian Petroleum had made another significant gas discovery in the Carnarvon Basin, at Orthrus 1 well, off the north-west coast of Western Australia.
Orthrus 1 is about 125km north of Onslow and 40km to the north-west of the existing giant Gorgon gas field in 1203m of water.
It is the second exploration well drilled by WAPET at exploration permit WA 267-P, following the discovery of gas with the Geryon 1 well in September.
Mr Moore said Orthrus 1 was drilled to a total depth of 3570m and encountered a good quality total net gas pay zone of 53m.
"These latest results look very promising for WA's gas industry," he said.
"Although the size of Orthrus is still undetermined, preliminary estimates suggest that the field contains yet another world-class gas reserve."
Mr Moore said that this latest find represented another potentially large gas reserve to complement the nearby Gorgon area project.
"An important aspect of these latest discoveries, Geryon and Orthrus, is that the gas has a low level of inerts (carbondioxide and nitrogen) at 3 per cent, which will facilitate development," he said.
"WA's huge gas resources form a foundation upon which the State's petroleum industry will continue to grow and contribute to the further economic development."
Media contacts:
Hartley Joynt, Minister's office, 9321 1444
Jacquie Rogers, Department of Minerals and Energy, 9222 3572