ASX/Media Release
4 January 2010
Rockhopper 1 confirmed as new field oil and gas discovery in 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 Monday 4 January 2010 the current operation at Rockhopper 1 is running wireline logs.
Wireline pressure data recorded in the well to date confirm the presence of multiple hydrocarbon columns in a sequence of interbedded sands and shales in the Lower Eastern View Coal Measures. Selective wireline sampling has recovered oil from some sands and liquids rich gas from others. Thickness of individual sand beds varies from 1 metre to around to 5 metres. Reservoir quality appears to be variable.
As no definitive water bearing sands are present in the target section, the Joint Venture is contemplating drilling a sidetrack to a downflank location on the Rockhopper structure to establish hydrocarbon column heights.
It remains too early to comment on the commercial significance of this new field discovery, but the JV is encouraged by results to date, particularly by the recovery of crude oil from some sands.
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.
Rockhopper 1 is a deviated well. The final surface location is:
| 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
Mobile: +61 417 864 255
Email: angus.guthrie@originenergy.com.au
Media
Tim Scott
Group Manager, Media Relations
Origin Energy
Phone: +61 2 8345 5306
Mobile: +61 428 964 820
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
