AUSTRALIAN explorer Empire Energy has received approval from the Northern Territory government to drill its Carpentaria-1 exploration well in the Beetaloo Basin.

The company is now finalising a well design and looking to contract a drill rig and service providers for the project located in onshore exploration permit EP187.

Carpentaria-1 is a vertical well scheduled to spud in the dry season this year. It will be drilled to a depth of approximately 2900 metres.

While Empire is yet to make a final investment decision on the big budget well, the company is optimistic about its future plans and is working closely with Brisbane-based engineering consultant InGuage Energy on well design.

InGuage and Empire have designed the well to include an extensive evaluation program consisting of coring which with give valuable insight into the geology of the target formations.

This data would then form the basis of the next phase work program and recoverable volumes of oil, gas and liquids.

Just over a month ago, Empire confirmed an extension of its permit in the Beetaloo Sub-basin giving the explorer confidence of a future oil and gas discovery.

Empire shot 2D seismic data across its acreage which confirmed two major shale targets, Velkerri and Kyalla, extending to the north of Santos' big budget Tamburini-1 appraisal well.

The Velkerri Shale sits around 2200m below surface and is estimated to be around 600m thick.

The shallower Kyalla shale is located at a depth of 1200m.

Both the Velkerri and Kyalla shales have attracted the attention of big plays including Origin Energy and Santos, which consider the underexplored region to be extremely commercial. In total Empire holds 14.5 million acres across the McArthur and Beetaloo Sub-basins.

Source: Energy News Bulletin

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