Ballaparudda-1 exploration well was drilled to test an anticlinal structure in PEL 91, in the ‘oil fairway’ between the Christies, Sellicks, Callawonga oil fields and Parson oil discovery in PEL 92 to the southwest and the Growler and Wirraway oil discoveries in PEL 104 to the northeast. The primary objectives were the Namur Sandstone and the Birkhead Formation/Hutton Sandstone, both for oil. Ballaparudda-1 was spudded on 6 December 2007. No hydrocarbon shows were encountered in the Namur Sandstone, but minor shows were recorded in the Murta Formation and fluorescence was encountered in the Birkhead Formation. The significance of these shows was evaluated with wireline logs after the total depth of 1963m was reached on 14 December 2007. Wireline logs and sidewall cores failed to find commercial oil accumulation in either the Murta Formation or Birkhead Formation. The well was plugged and abandoned and the rig was released on 17 December 2007. Despite the fact that Ballaparudda-1 has not resulted in a commercial oil discovery, the well did encounter oil shows within the objective formations and has confirmed the presence of hydrocarbons migrating into this part of PEL 91, increasing the likelihood of finding a commercial oil accumulation with future wells.
Structure map at Top Namur horizon showing location of the Ballaparudda-1 and Murrippi- 1 wells in PEL91 relative to oil discoveries in adjoining permits and other prospects and leads in PEL91.