Falcon Oil and Gas has begun the 2024 drilling program with spudding of the Shenandoah South 2H (SS2H) horizontal well in exploration permit 98, in partnership with Falcon Australia and Tamboran B2.
Following the drilling of SS2H, Tamboran B2 will immediately move to the Shenandoah South 3H (SS3H) well also located in the Beetaloo Sub-Basin, Northern territory, Australia.
Both wells will be drilled in 30 days utilizing an H&P super-spec FlexRig® Flex 3 Rig and will include a horizontal section of approximately 3,000m and will target the Amungee Member B-shale at an estimated target depth of 3,020m.
Moreover, the wells will be stimulated with up to 60 stages utilizing the Liberty Energy modern frac fleet currently being mobilized from the US to Australia.
Initial flow test results from each well are expected in Q1 2025. Once flow testing is complete, both wells are anticipated to supply 40 million cubic feet per day (mmcf/d) to the Northern territory government, part of the proposed Shenandoah South Pilot Project, which is expected to commence production in H1 2026 and subject to final stakeholder and regulatory approvals.
The two well program will be the largest single campaign in the Beetaloo Sub-basin to date, as Falcon said in a press release on Friday. Besides, an additional four well program is planned for 2025 which will complete the drilling for the proposed Shenandoah South Pilot Project.
Falcon Australia will participate in both wells in the Shenandoah South Pilot Project at its elected participating interest of 5%.
“The spudding of the SS2H horizontal well, which is the first of the planned two horizontal wells to be drilled in 2024, is an exciting next step in the development of the Beetaloo Sub-basin,” said Philip O’Quigley, CEO of Falcon.
“Following on from the success of the Shenandoah South 1H well announced earlier this year, and using the same drilling company, H&P, together with the arrival of the Liberty frac fleet, capable of materially increasing the stimulation intensity, we are really excited about being able to demonstrate the deliverability of the Amungee Member B-shale over 3,000-meter horizonal sections,” he added.
