Meridian Petroleum provides initial results and key conclusions from its 3D seismic survey on the PEL 82 license in the onshore Otway Basin, South Australia, and the next steps in the further development of the license.

Key Points Results from the 3D seismic survey on PEL 82 have appreciably increased the prospectivity for hydrocarbon discoveries on the license The close-spaced 3D seismic provides a detailed and more clearly defined image of structures within the survey area Nine prospective hydrocarbon bearing traps have now been identified, four within the Waarre sandstone and five in the Flaxman sandstone Many of the mapped structures contain vertically stacked areas with anomalous seismic amplitudes through a number of different formations. This feature bears similarities to the stacked pay zones encountered in large producing fields of the offshore Victoria Otway Basin There is a good fit between the amplitude anomalies and the prospective structures of the area Possible drilling locations are being further evaluated, with a particular emphasis on those capable of testing both Waarre and Flaxman traps in the one drill hole The 3D results, combined with the re-processed 2D data and additional information available from other licenses and wells, have provided the Company with a comprehensive range of material for marketing the PEL 82 prospects to potential partners and this process is now under way. Background Data Processing and Quality

The 3D seismic survey covering 88 square km of the PEL 82 license was completed at the end of March 2009. Complex data processing was necessary to overcome interference from shallow cavernous limestone strata which severely impaired the clarity of the older 2D data. Extra time and effort was expended to attenuate the impact of this. The resultant quality of the data showed substantial improvement over the 2D data at the deeper target horizons of the Waarre/Flaxman sands. At shallower depths, the 2D data remains better, and the combination of the new 3D with the re-processed 2D has provided the company with a much enhanced and more detailed view of the structure and prospects for the license.

Data Interpretation

The Company engaged the services of two companies to provide data analysis and interpretation, using individuals with substantial experience of Australia generally and the Otway Basin in particular. Interpretation began in early July and initial reports have now been received from both parties. The two completely independent interpretations have identified the same prospective structures, giving Meridian confidence that the structural analysis is correct. Further interpretation and refinement will continue.

Tags: Meridian Petroleum