Tamboran pursuing potential 5-tcf 2P Beetaloo reserves

Tamboran Resources Ltd. hopes to book a potential 5 tcf of proven-plus-probable (2P) natural gas reserves in Beetaloo subbasin onshore Australia by 2025, starting with its expected 2023 sanctioning of Block EP 98 pilot development.

“We will drill, fracture stimulate, and flow test two wells within EP 98. These wells aim to demonstrate the commerciality of the acreage and de-risk…commitment to sanctioning of the 100 terrajoule/day (TJ/day) pilot development with our JV partners Daly Waters Energy and Falcon Oil & Gas Australia Ltd.,” the company said at its annual general meeting. Tamboran added that it would continue front-end engineering and design activities for the proposed development, including working with regulators and property owners and land access and pipeline corridors.

The company plans to import a Helmerich & Payne Inc. FlexRig into Australia for the pilot— describing it as “the only rig capable of drilling the more than 3,000-m horizontal sections within the Mid-Velkerri B Shale”—and have it operational by mid-2023. It also continues to look for partners to help it accelerate Beetaloo commercialization.

Tamboran and Falcon bought out the project’s third JV partner, Origin Energy Ltd., earlier this year (OGJ Online, Sept. 19, 2022). Tamboran now operates four of Beetaloo’s six permits, covering more than 4 million prospective acres with an estimated 150 tcf of net prospective gas resources.

The company is drilling its second well of 2022, Amungee 2H. It will be drilled with a 1,000-m horizontal section within the Mid-Velkerri B Shale and fracture stimulated with 20 stages. Tamboran said that the stimulation program will be “the first within the basin designed with true US-style completions, including [the] 5 ½-in. casing…important for allowing increased proppant to be flowed into the formation, improving flow rate efficiency.”