Tamboran Hits Pay Dirt: Shenandoah South Well Delivers Strong Initial Production Rates

Tamboran Resources' Shenandoah South 1H well in Australia's Beetaloo Sub-basin yields a strong average initial production rate of 3.03 million cubic feet per day over 60 days. This result suggests that future development wells with longer laterals could deliver even higher rates of 18.4 MMcf/d, supporting the company's initial development plans. Tamboran's flow testing, extending beyond IP60, continues to demonstrate the commercial potential of the Beetaloo West region, with flow rates comparable to core areas of the Marcellus Shale basin in the US. Tamboran is progressing engineering studies and aims for a Final Investment Decision in mid-2024.

Tamboran Resources Reports Robust Initial Production Rates from Shenandoah South Well

Tamboran Resources Corporation (OTC: TBNRF, ASX: TBN) announced positive results from its Shenandoah South 1H (SS-1H) well in the Beetaloo Sub-basin of Australia's Northern Territory. The well delivered an encouraging average initial production (IP60) flow rate of 3.03 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) over the bottom 501 meters (1,644-foot) of its stimulated lateral section. Normalized to a standard 3,281-foot (1,000 meters) lateral length, the flow rate equates to approximately 6.0 MMcf/d.

These findings indicate that future development wells with extended lateral lengths of 10,000 feet could potentially yield average flow rates in excess of 18.4 MMcf/d within the first 60 days of production.

Supporting Initial Development

"The SS-1H well continues to display a steady, low declining production curve while maintaining its downhole pressure," said Joel Riddle, Managing Director and CEO of Tamboran. "This suggests the well has access to a robust reservoir with a strong pressure regime in the Shenandoah South area, supporting initial development plans in the region."

The flow testing was conducted after the installment of production tubing and a three-week soaking period that allowed the formation to absorb water used during the stimulation process. This soaking aims to enhance the gas permeability and future production performance of the formation.

Testing Progress

The initial drawdown period from January 25 to February 8, 2024 (approximately 13.3 days), witnessed the gradual opening of the choke from 16/64" to 40/64", resulting in gas rates ranging from 12.9 to 3.0 MMcf/d. Over this period, the average flow rate was 3.5 MMcf/d, with cumulative production reaching 46.2 MMcf. Flowing wellhead pressures declined from 4,611 psi to 792 psi.

During the subsequent continuous flowing period from February 8 to 24 (approximately 16.7 days), the choke was maintained at 43/64" at the start, leading to gas rates between 3.3 and 2.9 MMcf/d. The average flow rate for this period was approximately 3.0 MMcf/d, with cumulative production totaling 50.3 MMcf. Flowing wellhead pressures further declined from 792 to 578 psi.

The extended continuous flowing period from February 25 to March 25 (30 days) involved maintaining the choke at 3/64". Gas rates during this period ranged from 2.9 to 2.76 MMcf/d, averaging 2.83 MMcf/d. Flowing wellhead pressures gradually decreased from 578 to 530 psi.

Commercial Potential

Tamboran's encouraging results continue to underscore the potential of the Beetaloo West region, particularly the one million acres below 8,850 feet (true vertical depth).

"These flow rates continue to mirror average production rates observed in core regions of the Marcellus Shale basin in the United States," Riddle said. "This provides us with confidence that these formations have the capacity to deliver commercial quantities of gas, offering the potential to enhance energy security for the Northern Territory and East Coast Australian gas markets."

Tamboran intends to continue flow testing until IP90, which is expected to be announced in late April 2024. The company is also progressing Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED) studies for the proposed Shenandoah South Pilot Project and anticipates making a Final Investment Decision (FID) by mid-2024, subject to funding and stakeholder approvals.