AWE Limited reports that at 0600 hours today, the Rockhopper-1 exploration well was at a total measured depth of 3,522 metres and currently running wireline logs. Progress since the last report was 769 metres.

Hydrocarbon shows were encountered throughout several zones in the main reservoir sequence, with these shows being confirmed by the MWD (Measurement While Drilling) logs. The significance of these shows and the forward plan for the well will be assessed by the joint venture at the conclusion of the wireline logging and wireline testing program.

Rockhopper-1 is an exploration well which is located in the offshore Bass Basin within exploration permit T/18 P. The well is located approximately 38 kilometres west of the Yolla gas platform, 10 kilometres north of the Trefoil gas field and approximately 0.8 kilometres northwest of the Aroo-1 well, which contained gas shows on logs when drilled in 1974. The well is targeting gas within Eocene and Paleocene sands of the Eastern View Coal Measures.

At the conclusion of operations at Rockhopper, the Kan Tan IV rig will be released to conduct AWE's New Zealand drilling campaign.

Joint Venturers in T/18 P are: AWE Limited 47.5% Origin Energy Resources Ltd (Operator) 39.0% CalEnergy Gas (Australia) Ltd 8.5% Innamincka Petroleum Ltd 5.0%

Tags: AWE Limited