Flow testing starts at Antelope field in Papua New Guinea

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea -- InterOil Corporation has begun flow testing at the Elk-Antelope gas field in Papua New Guinea as part of the field appraisal.

The Antelope-5 flow rate is constrained by reservoir engineers to a maximum test rate of about 70 MMcfgd.

Dr Hession said pressure gauges are planned to be placed in the field to monitor the pressure response during an extended test of Antelope-5.

"Antelope-5 has the best reservoir thickness, quality and fracture density of all wells on the field, which signifies a world-class reservoir," Dr Hession said.

"By flowing the well under different conditions, we will be able to calculate maximum potential flow rates and better understand reservoir size, productivity and connectivity."

Dr Hession said data from the testing would help the joint venture to optimize design of the LNG plant and associated infrastructure.

The joint venture is finalizing plans for field testing, including drilling another well, Antelope-6, to define the eastern flank of the reservoir.

Drilling operations at Antelope-4 in the southern flank of the reservoir have been suspended at a measured depth of 2,134 m. Cores were cut in the upper part of the reservoir as planned, resulting in a recovery of 33 m of dolomite.

Drilling continued in the reservoir and substantial mud losses were experienced at 2,110 m indicating the well had intersected a significant fracture system. The PRL15 Joint Venture is evaluating the information obtained from the well before deciding on next steps for Antelope-4.