• Neon-2 net oil pay of 105 metres
• Reservoir quality similar or better than Echidna-1 & Neon-1
• Similar pressure regime to Echidna-1 & Neon-1
• Revised resource estimates and engineering studies to proceed concurrently

Karoon reports that the Neon-2 (9-NEO-2D-SPS) control well reached a final total depth of 2,357 metres Measured Depth (MD) on 7 March 2023. The well was spudded to the northeast of the Echidna-1 discovery well, with the lower section deviated to the west to intersect the target zones some 1.3 kilometres north of Echidna-1. Wireline logging of the target sections is presently underway.

The primary objectives of Neon-2 were to determine the quality and continuity of the Palaeocene units and to determine Palaeocene pressure connectivity with the Echidna-1 and Neon-1 wells. Preliminary analysis of the logging-while-drilling and wireline log data available at Neon-2 has confirmed that, as at Neon-1,the Palaeocene sandstone primary target zones are present and oil bearing at this location.

The Palaeocene intervals were found to be present over a gross 244 metres MD interval (172 metres true vertical thickness). The net pay thickness in this section is estimated to be 148 metres MD (105 metres true vertical thickness). Importantly, preliminary wireline log analysis indicates that the average reservoir quality in this net pay section is similar to, or better than, that encountered at Echidna-1 and Neon-1. This analysis is subject to further studies and calibration with physical samples.

Preliminary analysis of pressure tests through the Palaeocene section suggests that the Neon-2 oil zones lie on similar pressure gradients to the oil at Echidna-1 and Neon-1. Further work is required to determine the degree of communication between zones, given that Neon-2 intersected the reservoir on the western side of a prominent fault.

Neon-2 also tested deeper Maastrichtian targets which, in line with results from Echidna-1 and Neon-1, were found to be poorly developed with no net pay currently identified.

The forward plan is to complete the wireline logging program, then plug and abandon Neon-2. Karoon will then release the Noble Developer rig.

Over the next few months, data from both Neon-1 and Neon-2 will be fully analysed, leading to an updated resource estimate for the Neon field. The current resources estimated for the Neon field (assessed in May 2018) are 30 MMbbl, 55 MMbbl and 92 MMbbl for 1C, 2C and 3C Contingent Resources, respectively (Karoon – 100%). Together with development engineering studies, the updated resource estimate will contribute to an evaluation of technical and commercial feasibility, which could potentially enable a decision to enter a Neon concept select phase.

Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Dr Julian Fowles, commented: 
“The results from Neon-2 to date have been encouraging. The well has confirmed the presence of oilbearing sands, of potentially better than expected quality, in the northern part of the Neon field. In addition, as anticipated pre-drill, the Palaeocene reservoir section thickens across a fault towards the salt dome. Wireline logging will be completed shortly, which we expect will provide us with the data required toupdate our subsurface evaluationand our estimateof the resource potential of the Neon field. We are aiming to complete this resource review by mid-year, ahead of the 2023 Annual Report in August 2023.

Given the encouraging results from the control well campaign, further development engineering studies will take place concurrently, which, together with the revised resource estimates, will allow us to assess the viability of the current development conceptsand whether to progress into the next phase, Concept Select. We shall be in a position to provide more information on the timing of a potential Concept Select decision once the resource evaluation is complete.

I would like to thank everyone involved in the Neon control well drilling program, including Karoon’s technical and operational teams in Australia and Brazil, as well as on the Noble Developer rig and associated support vessels, for delivering both wells safely and efficiently.”

KeyFacts Energy: Karoon Gas Brazil country profile