Oil Search hits gas in Papua New Guinea

Oil Search said preliminary interpretation of logging data acquired over the lower zone of the Hagana-1 well, in the secondary Pliocene objective, indicated a nine-metre gas column, with work under way to evaluate the volumetrics of the discovery.

The primary Pleistocene target at Hagana-1 was water bearing.

Oil Search added that as a result of the encouraging results at Hagana-1 and its previous Flinders-1 discovery, both in Block PPL 244, the company would drill a third well called Kidukidu in Block PPL 385 following the completion of Hagana-1 using the rig Stena Clyde.

Reserves volumes at Hagana and Flinders are likely to be "relatively modest" but the results from both wells were "highly significant, as the wells have not only proven the existence of the turbidite sand play at two different stratigraphic levels but also the potential for gas charge and retention, opening up a new play fairway in this area of the Gulf basin", said the operator.