THE Amulet-2 sidetrack well has been drilled to planned total depth, delivering promising results from preliminary wireline evaluation, operator Tap Oil reported this morning.

Located in Production License WA-8-L, in the Dampier Sub-basin of Western Australia, the Amulet-2 bottom-hole location is about 450m southeast from the Amulet-1 well.

The oil-bearing sand from Amulet-1 was intersected in Amulet-2 on prognosis and preliminary analysis indicates it is oil bearing with an oil water contact consistent with Amulet-1.

In addition to this, a separate 6m oil sand was intersected shallower in the well. Pressure testing data suggests that this is lighter oil than that recovered from Amulet-1 and is in a separate pool. Initial indications are that the reservoir quality in the second sand in Amulet-2 is of better quality than the reservoir in Amulet-1.

"The intersection of the oil-bearing sand in Amulet-2 demonstrates that the oil column extends at least 450 metres laterally from the Amulet-1 well and confirms the mapping of this level," Tap managing director Paul Underwood said.

"This well data will facilitate an estimate of the oil in place in Amulet field discovered by Amulet-1."

The additional oil-bearing sand higher up in the section indicates that there is an additional accumulation southeast of Amulet-1. A further well up-dip will be required to evaluate this sand and this is being considered by the joint venture, Tap said.

The Amulet-1 corehole has been drilled alongside Amulet-1 to collect a core over the intersected reservoir section. A full 34m section of core was collected and dispatched for laboratory analysis.

An estimate of the amount of oil that can be recovered will require further analysis of the reservoir properties from the recovered core, Tap said.

The results of both wells will be integrated into a preliminary post-well volumetric assessment over the next few weeks to provide an initial indication as to the commercial potential of the field.

Amulet-2 participants are well manager Tap (Shelfal) which holds a 20% stake, permit operator Santos (37.36%) and Kufpec Australia (42.63%).

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