INPEX Browse E&P Pty Ltd is proposing to drill two exploration wells in the Browse Basin: one in exploration permit area WA-285-P and one in WA-343-P. The WA-285-P and WA-343-P exploration permit areas are located wholly within Commonwealth waters approximately 230 km from the Kimberley coastline, Western Australia, in water depths of approximately 290 m and 350 m respectively. The proposed petroleum activity will consist of a pre-drill site survey, and the drilling and evaluation of an exploration well in each of WA-285-P and WA-343-P.
It is expected that the earliest commencement date for drilling and evaluation activities will be in the second half of 2023. All activities will be completed within 12 months, noting that the exact timing for completion will be dependent upon INPEX obtaining all approvals, and MODU availability.
The pre-drill site surveys will be undertaken using a multi-purpose, dynamically positioned (DP) survey vessel that will use marine diesel fuel and are expected to last approximately 10 days per permit. The scope of the surveys includes multibeam echo sounder, side-scan sonar, sub-bottom profiling and seabed grab sampling.
Following each pre-drill site survey, drilling will be conducted using a semi-submersible mobile offshore drilling unit (MODU) which will be either physically anchored to the seabed or DP. Two anchor handling supply vessels (AHSV) and one platform supply vessel will provide support for the drilling activity.
Once drilled to total depth, each well will undergo various evaluation techniques to assess reservoir parameters. These will include a drill stem test (DST) and a vertical seismic profile (VSP). Various other wireline formation evaluation techniques will also be completed.
Drilling activities are expected to last for approximately 95 days at WA-285-P and 150 days at WA-343-P with operations occurring 24 hours a day.
At the end of the drilling and evaluation activities within each permit, both wells will be permanently plugged and abandoned in accordance with the approved Well Operations Management Plan.
