Energy

BPH Energy receives environmental report outlining prep work for Baleen gas drilling

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By Danica Cullinane - 
BPH Energy ASX fund Advent Energy PEP11 gas drilling program

BPH Energy plans to increase its stake in NSW gas explorer Advent Energy from 23% to 36%.

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BPH Energy’s (ASX: BPH) investee Advent Energy has received an environmental review design report for its first planned well at the Baleen gas prospect within the Offshore Sydney Basin.

In late February, Aberdeen-based Xodus Group had been commissioned to undertake a preliminary environmental screening assessment of the proposed Baleen well in preparation for drilling in the offshore licence PEP 11.

Xodus was engaged by Norwegian drilling group Add Energy, which had signed a preliminary well services deal with Advent for the drilling of the well.

The report outlines what is needed to complete an environmental impact assessment to support the required approvals for the well. This assessment is expected to include a detailed summary of required technical and environmental inputs, a proposed approach for stakeholder consultation and the identify the key controls potentially needed to manage the activity.

BPH said the received environmental report is now being assessed. However, earlier this month the company revealed Advent’s changed plan to undertake deeper drilling, which has resulted in a revised specification of the proposed Baleen well.

Revised well design to undertake deeper drilling

Xodus’ report was facilitated by pre-existing environmental data from technical work previously undertaken in PEP 11 including an environmental plan, which was accepted by the authorities for a 2D seismic survey undertaken in 2018.

The report addressed the drill target on the Baleen gas prospect, which was initially announced with a total depth of 2,150m.

Although, Advent now intends to increase the target depth of the well in order to evaluate the potential of the Offshore Sydney Basin for carbon sequestration, also known as carbon capture and storage.

This new drilling plan, which remains subject to approvals and funding, has resulted in a revised specification of the well to target early Permian sandstones to a total depth of 3,150m.

BPH said further announcements will be made after the environmental review design report has been assessed.

BPH holds a 33% stake in unlisted oil and gas explorer Advent which, in turns, owns an 85% interest in PEP 11.