Strike Energy* (50 %, operator) and Warrego Energy’s Erregulla Deep-1 (ED-1) well, in EP 469, discovered two high-quality, low-impurity conventional gas reservoirs, totalling 28 m of net gas pay at record depths in the Perth Basin in September 2024. Within the Early to Middle Permian Kingia Sandstone, 26 m of net gas pay was encountered, featuring an average porosity of 13 % and reservoir pressures around 7,623 psia. 2 m of net gas pay was also encountered within the High Cliff Sandstone with an average porosity of 11 % and reservoir pressures around 7,807 psia. Multiple gas samples collected from both zones have confirmed good permeabilities, stable gas gradients, and significantly lower CO₂ content compared to West Erregulla.
An additional 4 m of net gas pay, with high prospectivity and over pressuring was encountered within the Irwin River Coal Measures, exhibiting porosities of up to 10 % and reservoir pressures around 8,399 psia; however, its categorisation is yet to be determined. The well reached a total depth of 5,225 m, marking it as the deepest well ever drilled onshore in Australia.
In October, excellent results were recorded during flow testing with the Kingia producing at a maximum instantaneous rate of 60 mmscfd and a stabilised rate of 53 mmscfd, which is one of the highest ever recorded flowing pressures from Perth Basin wells.
ED-1 represents the most easterly extent of the Permian gas play. The well was drilled into a mapped structural closure directly east of the existing reserves in the West Erregulla gas field and is on trend with the Lockyer and North Erregulla gas discoveries. The thickness and quality of results from ED-1 at depths around 5,000 m also enhance the prospectivity across much of Strike’s acreage. The Arrino-Kadathinni leads have been identified in EP503, 504 and 505 to the east from a recently acquired 2D seismic survey.
Warrego is a solely owned subsidiary of Hancock Energy, which recently signed a binding agreement with Mineral Resources to significantly expand its footprint in Western Australia. Hancock will take full ownership in two blocks and 50 % as partner in a further six blocks in the Perth Basin. The deal also includes 50 % partnership in three permits further north in the Carnarvon Basin.
*Strike Energy is an ASX listed Australian junior with exploration and production in the Perth Basin.
