Botala Energy (ASX: BTE) has confirmed gas potential in the Upper Morupule coal seam at its Serowe CBM project following positive results from the S3.3 pilot well step-rate test, enhancing technical certainty for future development.
Botala's latest update from Serowe has validated the Upper Morupule coal seam as a potentially productive gas target.
This seam sits directly below the previously identified Serowe seam, expanding the project's multi-seam potential.
Critically, free gas was observed at the surface during testing, indicating high gas saturation and the presence of moveable gas within the reservoir—a key indicator of prospectivity.
Reservoir pressure was recorded at approximately 630 psi, with a closure pressure range of 820-840 psi BHP, providing essential data for future development planning.
Stimulation Boosts Injectivity
The step-rate test performed on the S3.3 well suggests that permeability within the Upper Morupule coal seam can be effectively improved using relatively simple, low-cost stimulation techniques.
Impressively, injectivity was demonstrated at rates exceeding 10 bpm during the test.
This indicates the reservoir's capacity to accept fluids, a crucial factor for successful stimulation.
Permeability is estimated to be in the range of 1-3 mD, which supports the potential for gas deliverability from the seam under stimulated conditions.
Technical Uncertainty Reduced
The defined reservoir pressure behaviour and consistent closure pressure observed during the test significantly improve the framework for future stimulation design and execution certainty.
Crucially, operational learnings from S3.3 are being directly integrated into the design for the next key pilot well, S3.5B.
This adaptive approach aims to refine technical strategies moving forward.
Overall, these positive results reduce technical uncertainty for the broader Serowe CBM project development, providing a clearer pathway for commercialisation.
Next Steps for Serowe Project
With the valuable data gathered from S3.3, the rig has now been mobilised to well S3.5B, with spudding imminent.
The integration of S3.3 data aims to refine the perforation strategy, injection rates, and fluid systems for the upcoming S3.5B well.
This will ensure an optimised approach to maximise efficiency and success.
Previous coverage indicates the company has successfully confirmed gas in coalbeds and achieved sustainable gas flow from the Serowe-3.1 well, demonstrating consistent progress at the project.
