Novus, partner strike gas in E. Java

Australian oil, gas firm Novus Petroluem Limited on Monday announced a new gas discovery in Tanggulangin-1 well in Brantas production sharing contract (PSC), East Java.

The company said a total of 33m net gas pay had been estimated from logs in the three shallow reservoir zones behind 9(5/8)" casing. In addition, the well had encountered additional reservoirs zones with strong gas shows in the open-hole section below the 9(5/8)" casing which had not been logged as the well encountered a strong gas influx at 916m and subsequently, had to be plugged back.

According to Novus, preliminary analyses indicate approximately 40 billion cubic feet (BCF) of reserves in the shallower section and 6 reservoir units with strong gas shows exist in the lower, open-hole section indicating that further gas reserves are present.

However, Novus said the drilling result indicated the gas reserve might "significantly" exceed preliminary estimates.

?After completing the Tanggulangin well, the rig will move to spud a well on the Carat prospect located 5km to the south of Wunut producing gas field and then to Grati-1. All three wells are drilling the same play system as the nearby Wunut field,? said Novus in a statement.

Novus said the combined pre-drill volume estimates for these three prospects was approximately 200 BCF.

Novus holds 50 percent participating interest in Brantas PSC while Lapindo Brantas, the PSC operator which is controlled by local businessman Reiner Latif, holds the remaining 50 percent. (alex)