ASX/Media Release
18 February 2010
Rockhopper 1 and Rockhopper 1/ST 1 Exploration Well Update, Bass Basin, Tasmania
Progress and Status
Origin Energy, on behalf of the T/18P Joint Venture, advises that as at 06:00 hours EDT on Thursday 18 February 2010 the current operation at the Rockhopper location was running in hole to cut and retrieve the 9 5/8” casing from Rockhopper 1 as part of the planned abandonment operations.
During the week, the wireline evaluation program was completed for Rockhopper 1/ST 1 and cement plugs were set.
The extensive wireline pressure and sampling program has been completed. The dual packer testing confirmed that several of the sands are of low permeability and it was not possible to obtain formation fluids from them. However, reliable pressures were obtained from other sands and a mixture of filtrate and formation water was recovered from two. All data gathered in the two wells will now be analysed and integrated with seismic mapping to derive volumes of oil and gas in the Rockhopper structure. This process is expected to take some months.
It remains too early to speculate on the commercial significance of the Rockhopper discovery.
As planned prior to drilling commenced, the well is now being plugged and abandoned. Abandonment operations are expected to be completed over the weekend, after which the rig will be released from location and assigned to another operator.
Well type and location
Rockhopper 1 is an exploration well located in exploration permit T/18P, operated by Origin some 38km west of the Yolla gas field and approximately 10km north-north-east of Trefoil 1.
The side track well Rockhopper 1/ST 1 is designed to appraise the oil and gas zones discovered in the Rockhopper 1 well and is being drilled to intersect the main reservoir sections approximately 1.3km south and down dip from their penetration in Rockhopper 1. This will allow the volume of oil and gas discovered in the Rockhopper structure to be more fully evaluated.
Rockhopper 1 and Rockhopper 1/ST1 are deviated wells drilled from the same surface location at:
| Latitude: | 39° 47’ 34.1828” S |
| Longitude: | 145° 26’ 21.4660” E |
| T/18P Participating Interests | |
| Origin Energy Resources Ltd* | 39.0% (Operator) |
| AWE Ltd | 47.5% |
| CalEnergy Gas (Australia) Ltd | 8.5% |
| Innamincka Petroleum Ltd | 5.0% |
* a wholly owned subsidiary of Origin Energy Limited
For further information please contact:
Investors
Angus Guthrie
Group Manager, Investor Relations
Origin Energy
Phone:+61 2 8345 5558
Email: angus.guthrie@originenergy.com.au
Media
Lina Melero
General Manager, Corporate Communication
Origin Energy
Ph: +61 2 8345 5217
Mobile: +61 427 017 798
Map of Bass Basin showing exploration permit T/18P
About Origin Energy
Origin Energy is Australasia's leading integrated energy company focused on gas and oil exploration and production, power generation and energy retailing.
Listed in the ASX top 20 the company has approximately 4,000 employees, is a leading producer of gas in eastern Australia, is the largest owner and developer of gas-fired electricity generation in Australia and is a leading wholesaler and retailer of energy. The company services more than 3.5 million electricity, natural gas and LPG customers across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. Origin's strategic positioning and portfolio of assets provide flexibility, stability and significant opportunities for growth in the ever changing energy industry. Through Australia Pacific LNG, its 50:50 incorporated joint venture with ConocoPhillips, Origin is developing Australia's largest CSG to LNG project based on Australia's largest CSG reserves base.
In New Zealand, Origin is the major shareholder in Contact Energy, the country's leading integrated energy company, operating geothermal, thermal and hydro generation facilities and servicing electricity, gas and LPG customers across both the North and South islands. Origin also operates several oil and gas projects in New Zealand and is one of the largest holders of petroleum exploration acreage in the country.
Origin has a strong focus on ensuring the sustainability of its operations, is the largest green energy retailer in Australia and has significant investments in renewable energy technologies.
For more information go to www.originenergy.com.au
