Seismic survey kicks off over Norwest’s Xanadu oil discovery

Australian oil and gas exploration company Norwest Energy has informed that seismic contractor Synterra Technologies has started operations to acquire the Xanadu 3D seismic survey offshore Australia. 

The survey started following following the company’s receipt of the requisite environmental and regulatory approvals to proceed from the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS).

Norwest said on Friday that the 40km2 3D seismic program had been designed to fully delineate the Xanadu oil discovery, focusing on the northern up-dip region, and the southern down-dip region extending out to the western flank of the structure.

According to the company, the Xanadu discovery was drilled based on only limited 2D seismic coverage, insufficient to provide the high resolution subsurface model required to guide future appraisal drilling. The interpreted results of the 3D seismic program will form the basis for contingent resource estimation and appraisal well design.

Appraisal well on the cards

The survey is anticipated to be completed by end June 2019, and once the seismic data has been processed it will be interpreted and integrated with Norwest Energy’s existing subsurface model, at which point the TP/15 Joint Venture will consider an appraisal well.

The enhanced subsurface model will enable the appraisal well location and trajectory to be designed such that the well will provide an optimal chance for a significant commercial appraisal.

Early results from the interpreted data are expected to be available by October 2019.

The Xanadu prospect is located in state waters in exploration permit TP/15, some 300 kilometers north of Perth, Western Australia. The TP/15 Joint Venture Partners are Norwest Energy, via its wholly owned subsidiary Westranch Holdings (operator, 25%), Triangle Xanadu (45%), and 3C Group (30%).

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