Western Gas secures MS-1 semi-sub to drill Sasanof-1 exploration well

The Sasanof-1 exploration well is in permit WA-519-P in Commonwealth waters about 207 km northwest of Onslow, Western Australia. Drilling is scheduled to commence in March/April 2022 following the rig relocating from nearby activities on the North West Shelf.

Western Gas said the contract marks another milestone towards the drilling of the Sasanof Prospect and that securing the MS-1 rig – following its current regional program – provides “significant benefits for the delivery of a safe and efficient drilling campaign”.

The Sasanof Prospect is on trend and updip of the liquids rich, low CO2 Mentorc Gas and Condensate Field and nearby the Giant Gas Fields of Scarborough and Io-Jansz in the Carnarvon Basin. ERC Equipoise Ltd (ERCE) has determined Sasanof has an estimated 2U Prospective Resource of 7.2 Tcf gas and 176 Million bbls condensate (P50), with a 32% Chance of Success. The high case 3U Prospective Resource estimate is for 17.8 Tcf gas and 449 Million bbls condensate (P10).

Will Barker and Kodjo Dogbe — Will Barker, of Western Gas and Kodjo Dogbe, Valaris, sign the contract to drill the Sasanof-1 Well on the North West Shelf

Western Gas has also completed a major commercial milestone with Global Oil and Gas Limited announcing on 23 November 2021 that it had finalised the purchase of 25% of Western Gas (519P) Pty Ltd, the holding company for WA-519-P. The acquisition will see GLV fund 50% of the cost of drilling the Sasanof-1 exploration well and issue Western Gas A$3 million of performance shares.

Sasanof-1 will be a vertical well and drilled to a total depth of approximately 2500 m in 1070 m of water, providing a low cost, high impact exploration well in a known and proven hydrocarbon province. Drilling costs are estimated at US$20-25 million.

Will Barker, Western Gas Executive Director, said: “We are delighted to award Valaris this contract given its global expertise backed by its extensive knowledge of operating offshore Western Australia. With the drilling slot locked in with Valaris and GLV secured as a partner, we are now well on our way to delivering one of the highest impact wells to be drilled on the North West Shelf in decades.”

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