Carpentaria-5H drilling operations commence

Highlights

• Carpentaria-5H (“C-5H”) commenced drilling at 9.30am NT time on Saturday 16th November

• C-5H is expected to take approximately 45 days to drill and case

• C-5H is being drilled by the Ensign Rig #965 and will form part of the Carpentaria Pilot Project

• C-5H is designed to deliver higher gas production rates than previous wells and, subject to approvals, sale of gas into the NT local market

• After rig release C-5H will be hydraulically stimulated

• Cash at bank is $34 million 

Comments from Managing Director Alex Underwood:

"Empire has now reached the execution phase of our Carpentaria-5H operations.

This is an important milestone for our company and the Beetaloo Basin generally.

This well will be our first full-scale pilot development well, incorporating learning from the four wells that have previously been drilled successfully in EP187. The well design incorporates a larger well bore diameter targeting a 3,000m drilled and cased horizontal section. The larger well bore diameter will allow Empire to increase stimulation horsepower, proppant concentration and water concentration, with a goal of producing higher gas flow rates than in previous wells.

Our planning for the installation of the Carpentaria Gas Plant is progressing with a goal of commencing the sale of gas from EP187 in 2025.

We look forward to updating shareholders as drilling operations continue.”

To view the full ASX announcement, click here.

Source: Empire Energy Group