ADX Energy's Anshof-3 exploration well in Austria has encountered an oil zone and a gas zone of interest based on preliminary results from drilling data, including measurement while drilling and mud logging. The Anshof-3 well is located in the ADX-AT-II license in Upper Austria. The well reached a depth of approximately 2400m in 8 ½ inch hole at 8pm Central European Time on the 4th of January 2022 utilising the RED Drilling & Services GmbH (RED) E-200 rig on day 17 of drilling operations.

The well is drilling ahead in the 8 ½ inch hole to basement which will be the total depth for the well at approximately 2500m. The well may also intersect a secondary oil target prior to reaching total depth (Cenomanian sandstones). ADX is planning an electric line logging program for the 8 ½ inch hole to further evaluate potential of the hydrocarbon intervals encountered in the well.

Observations and results

The preliminary results from Anshof-3 drilling data are summarised as follows;

• A 9m gross interval has been encountered at the primary Eocene oil target, and
• A 20m gross interval with potentially good reservoir quality has been encountered with strong gas shows within imbricated Miocene formations.

The abovementioned intervals exhibited hydrocarbon shows indicative of moveable hydrocarbons based on extensive experience within the basin. The Eocene oil reservoir and other geological markers such as Top Oligocene and Top Cretaceous have been encountered as predicted, further confirming the presence of a large structure as mapped predrill on 3D seismic.

Future operations

Planned future operations include electric line logging 8 ½ inch hole from a depth of 331m to the total depth into the crystalline basement which is expected at a depth of approximately 2500m to determine the productive potential of the intersected reservoirs and confirm the likelihood of moveable hydrocarbons across the various intervals of interest.

Wireline logging data is expected to be available during the week commencing 10 January 2022.

ADX Executive Chairman, Mr Ian Tchacos, said, 
“The Board of ADX is very encouraged by the well results to date, the safe and efficient drilling of our first well, as well as the potential of the Anshof area for both oil and gas production. Access arrangements to nearby infrastructure enable rapid tie in of discoveries. It is an extraordinary result by our team on the ground to have a potential discovery within 12 months of securing an exploration license. The speed of licensing and the ability to conduct efficient, cost effective operations demonstrates the benefits of operating in Austria.“

Zistersdorf & Gaiselberg

Among hills and vineyards in the north east of Vienna near to the town of Zistersdorf is one of the most long lived operating oil fields in the world with decades of economic production still predicted due to efficient operations and very low production decline.

The operation is exemplary for sustainable development. Since 1938, this oil field has created its own unique history in oil and gas production and is still operated successfully with the application of state of the art production technologies. 

A collection of historic photographs of the Zistersdorf production from 1938/1939.

KeyFacts Energy: ADX Energy Austria country profile