The increased condensate-to-gas ratio indicated from this test, which was conducted deep in the hydrocarbon column confirms InterOil’s original assumptions, which were based on observations from worldwide gas and condensate fields, and support the company’s decision to case the well for further testing.
The formation in which the DST packer was set did not completely seal allowing gas from above to channel into the test interval, resulting in limited testing capability with these DST tools within the large open hole interval. Given the encouraging results of the DST, the company has elected to case the well and isolate the 1,968 ft (600m) of gas pay behind pipe. Forward plans are to drill out under balanced to further test this zone and additional zones of interest in the lower portion of the Antelope reservoir with the improved isolation of a cased well bore and without further contamination by drilling fluids during managed pressure drilling.
Analysis of the test pressure data and condensate by third parties is in progress. The company is in the early stages of evaluation and has not yet determined the final volume, and in particular whether condensate volumes would be sufficient to be commercially exploitable.
The company is continuing to test the lower sections of the Antelope reservoir to further its understanding of the nature and volume of both condensate and oil in the reservoir and complete the original objective of testing for condensate-to-gas ratios and the possibility of an oil leg at the base of the gas column. No assurances can be given as to whether there will be sufficient volumes, that condensate or oil will ultimately be recoverable or of any future condensate or oil production.
