Australian energy company Santos Ltd. completed a flow test in the Baxter gas and condensate reservoir offshore Western Australia that delivered better-than-expected results despite constraints on surface equipment.
Among one of two planned programs in the Dorado field, the Dorado-3 well's flow test reached a maximum rate of around 48 million standard cubic feet per day of gas and 4,500 barrels per day of associated condensate.
Production is expected to be higher as the test was accompanied by surface equipment constraints, according to a Sept. 23 news release from Santos.
Dorado-3 was drilled using the Noble Tom Prosser offshore rig, in a water depth of 95 meters and a total measured depth of 4,643 meters. It is in petroleum permit WA-437-P.
The Caley oil reservoir, also in the Dorado field, will be tested in the coming weeks.
A final investment decision will be made when the Dorado appraisal program closes following the Caley flow test.
Santos serves as project operator of WA-437-P with an 80% stake, while Carnarvon Petroleum Ltd. holds the other 20%.
