The government of Western Australia has released four onshore and offshore exploration areas for competitive bidding. Two areas are located in the North Perth Basin, while the other two are in the Carnarvon Basin. The permit will be prospective for both oil and gas. The government gives prospective applicants a deadline to submit bids on October 19, 2020. They are also required to present detailed work program commitments.
Area L20-1 includes onshore and offshore state areas in the northern Carnarvon basin around Onslow. It contains more than 50 wells, mostly drilled onshore. Four wells have been drilled offshore, including the Cowle-1 wildcat that produces up to 1,600 bpd of crude oil from reservoir sands in the Flacourt formation. Extensive 2D seismic data will be available to applicants.
Area L20-2 is an onshore shale region in the southern Carnarvon Basin. It is said to have good potential gas-prone source rocks. It contains only three previous wells despite being covered by numerous seismic surveys. ExxonMobil drilled a well in 1985 targeting the Moogooloo sandstone but abandoned it due to lack of seal.
Area L20-3 is onshore in the North Perth basin surrounding the town of Eneabba. The area contains only one previous well drilled in 2013 targeting the Cattamarra coals and the Cadda formation.
Area L20-4 is also onshore in the North Perth basin near Dongara and Moora oil fields. The area has three previous wells: Cypress Hill-1 and Yallalie-1 in the northwest of Moora, as well as Dandaragan-1 targeting an extension of the Dongara field.
