Falcon Oil & Gas has announced the start of the 30-day initial production (IP30) testing at the Shenandoah South 1H (“SS1H”) well in EP117 within the Beetaloo Basin in the Northern Territory (NT), Australia.

This well is operated by Falcon Oil and Gas Australia Limited’s joint venture partner, Tamboran B2 Pty Limited.

“We look forward to this next phase of operations with the initial production testing of the SS1H well in the Beetaloo and will continue to update the market as results become available,” said Philip O’Quigley, CEO of Falcon Oil & Gas.

The SS1H well underwent a 10-stage stimulation program, which was completed on December 7, 2023. After the successful installation of production tubing, the well was opened to allow for the flow of stimulation fluid. However, for operational reasons, the well was shut down for a three-week soak period. It was re-opened on January 25, 2024, with the aim of allowing for the absorption of stimulation fluid by the shale.

This would increase the relative permeability to gas in the formation and improve future production performance. The IP30 test has now commenced, and results are expected by the end of February 2024, the company noted in a press release.

Falcon estimates that the commercial flow rates during the IP30 test will be 1.5 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) over the 500-meter horizontal section (3.0 MMcf/d normalized over 1,000 meters) or greater. If this is proven, it will allow the joint venture to move forward with the proposed 40 MMcf/d pilot project at Shenandoah South in the first half of 2024.