HIGHLIGHTS
EP469 West Erregulla Field Appraisal
• Exciting flow test results from WE-4. In July, after a 46-hour flow period, WE-4 achieved a sustained gas flow rate of 35 MMscfd through a 76/64” choke at ~1,770 psig FTHP and produced water at a rate of 1,365 bbl/d.
• In June WE-5 reached TD at 5,015m MDRT. After logging the Kingia and High Cliff formations, WE-4 was cased and completed for future production. Total duration for the well was 57 days.
• At WE-5, the top of the highest-quality section of the primary target, the Kingia Porous Sandstone, was intersected 4m high to prognosis at 4,771m MDRT.
• Material results from WE-5 include a thicker 183m Kingia gross interval and net pay of 32m with average porosity of 10%.
• Drilling performance in both WE-4 and WE-5 improved substantially on a time and cost basis compared to WE-2 and WE-3.
EP469 West Erregulla FieldDevelopment
• Netherland Sewell & Associates (NSAI) has been appointed by the EP469 JV to provide independent reserves certification for the West Erregulla gas fields, incorporating the latest WE-4 and WE-5 flow test results, and evaluation is expected to be completed by late August.
• Warrego commenced payments to AGIG in July 2021 to commit Long Lead Items for the construction of the 87 TJ/d gas processing facility for the West Erregulla Gas Project which will enable Phase 1 of the West Erregulla Gas Project to maintain its mid-2023 targeted first gas date
• Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (‘AGIG’) completed the supplementary FEED study for the gas processing facility. The EP469 JV Partners and AGIG are close to finalising construction and gas processing agreements for Phase 1 of the West Erregulla Gas Project.
• The JV Partners are nearing completion of FEED for the upstream gathering system that will collect and transport gas from the West Erregulla wells to the AGIG gas processing plant.
STP-EPA-0127 Northern Perth Basin exploration
• Warrego has received farm-in inquiries for EPA-0127 and has agreed to provide data room access to an interested party on a confidential basis.
Tesorillo and El Romeral Projects, Spain
• Warrego is in detailed discussions with various entities interested in acquiring all or part of its holdings in the Tesorillo and El Romeral projects.
Corporate and Financial
• Warrego has secured funding commitments for all budgeted pre-development activities at EP469
• Consolidated cash at 30 June 2021 was $13,721,000.
• On 25 June, Warrego announced a $50 million capital raise at 22 cents per new share via a twotranche placement to fund Long Lead Items for the West Erregulla Gas Project and the re-entry and completion of the WE-3 well.
• Tranche One (147.1 million shares, $32.4 million) was issued on 2 July. Tranche Two (80.2 million shares, $17.6 million) requires shareholder approval at an EGM on 10 August 2021.
• Warrego is in advanced discussions to form a “banking club” of three domestic banks to provide project finance of up to $75 million for its 50% share of Phase 1 of the West Erregulla Gas Project.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
EP469 (50%) West Erregulla Gas Fields
Exploration Permit located onshore North Perth Basin, Western Australia, targeting conventional gas reservoirs West Erregulla Field Appraisal Campaign
WE-4 Appraisal Well
The WE-4 well is a step out appraisal well drilled down-dip on the south-eastern flank of the Central Area of the West Erregulla gas field. The well was drilled and completed over an 87-day period, representing a significant improvement in drilling performance and budget compared to earlier wells. This was due in part
to the inclusion of, for the first time, experienced Perth Basin drilling consultants in the drilling team.
In April 2021, WE-4 reached TD at 5,069m MDRT after encountering the Kingia formation at 4,827m MDRT,
some 19m higher than prognosed. Kingia gross thickness was 155m, net pay was 28m with average porosity of 11%, and pressure of 6,821 psia at 4,898m MDRT. After logging runs and successfully coring the Kingia and High Cliff formations, the well was cased and completed for future production. Lab results confirmed excellent reservoir properties in the Kingia formation.
The WE-4 flow test commenced in May over a 75m perforation between 4,847m and 4,962m MDRT. The cleanup of the well was paused due to the presence of sand in the production stream. The Kingia was identified as the source of the sand, which may have resulted from the large perforation or indicate a friable formation. Little to no sand production was observed at WE-2 during the flow test, although some of the Waitsia wells have seen minor sanding issues. Additional specialist equipment was required to handle sand
production before testing could recommence.
The new equipment arrived at the end of June and on 10 July, after a 46-hour flow period, WE-4 achieved a sustained gas flow rate of 35 MMscfd through a 76/64” choke at ~1,770 psig FTHP and produced low salinity water at a rate of 1,365 bbl/d. This is an excellent flow test result for a flank well.
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On 12 July Warrego and its JV Partner in EP469 and Operator, Strike Energy Limited (“Strike”), made separate announcements1 with different interpretations regarding the source of the water in WE-4. Strike’s interpretation that the water was produced from a perched water lens could not be supported by Warrego as the only possible explanation without more data (a perched water lens is a trapped localised pocket of water associated with hydrocarbons and is an uncommon occurrence). Warrego’s view was that a gaswater contact (GWC) may have been encountered and that further data from the WE-5 flow test may assist
in resolving the issue of the water source.
Warrego considered it materially important to inform investors through our own ASX announcement that
a GWC was a distinct possibility based on its analysis of the data. Warrego also considered it material to
reference the use of a downhole plug to reduce water production, which proved to be only partly
successful.
Results from the upcoming flow test from WE-5 and further technical work may provide greater clarity on
which is the most likely source of water in WE-4. If the WE-5 well (some 2.5km away from WE-4) flow test
also produces water, then a perched water lens is unlikely to be the source.
WE-5 Appraisal Well
The WE-5 appraisal well was spudded on 8 May 2021. The well is located to the north of the Central
Area between WE-2 and the fault that divides the Central from the Northern Area of the field. The well
was drilled and completed in 57 days. The well reached TD at 5,015m on 20 June 2021 and was under
budget, reflecting the new three-stage well design proposed by Warrego and the continued use of
experienced Perth Basin drilling consultants.
The top of the highest quality section of the primary target, the Kingia Porous Sandstone, was
intersected 4m higher than the Operator’s prognosis at 4,771m MDRT. The initial Kingia results are in
line with expectations and confirm the presence of a high-quality gas resource. Kingia gross thickness
was 183m and net pay was 32m with average porosity of 10%. After logging and coring the Kingia and
High Cliff formations, the well was cased and completed for future production.
A full suite of wireline logs was completed (the first time this had been achieved during the appraisal campaign) and the data is currently being evaluated.
The test skid has been relocated from WE-4 to WE-5 and flow testing is expected to commence shortly once the targeted formations have been perforated. The depth and interval of the perforations chosen by the Operator will be critical to achieving solid flow test results as well as corroborating, or otherwise, the water source in WE-4 and ultimately reserves evaluation and certification.
WE-3 Appraisal Well
The WE-3 appraisal well is located in the Northern Area of the West Erregulla field which is separated from the Central Area by a fault. The well was temporarily suspended on 4 January 2021 at 4,294m MDRT in the Carynginia formation after encountering high pressure readings that were close to the design limits of the well.
Following a comprehensive review of WE-3 operations and data by both JV partners and external
consultants, the JV has agreed that the well can be re-entered with the use of additional equipment, a
modified well design and the same experienced drilling consultants used on WE-4 and WE-5. The
procurement of long lead items and rig contracting will commence in the September quarter. Based on
current rig availability, it is unlikely re-entry will occur before Q1 2022.
West Erregulla Gas Project - Development
Independent Reserves Certification
Warrego has published a 2C Contingent Resource for the Central Area of the West Erregulla field of 513 billion cubic feet (gross)2, referencing lowest known gas, which was independently certified by RISC Advisory Pty Ltd. In comparison, our JV partner in EP469, Strike Energy, has published an internal estimate of 2C Contingent Resources for the whole West Erregulla field of 1,185 billion cubic feet (gross)3.
Nertherland Sewell & Associates (NSAI) has been appointed by the EP469 JV to provide independent reserves certification for the West Erregulla gas fields, incorporating the latest data from the WE-4 and WE-5 flow tests, lab results and volumetric modelling. This work is expected to be completed by late August, subject to the completion of the WE-5 flow test.
If the forthcoming independent reserves assessment adopts the Operator’s perched water theory, this could, potentially, lead to an increase in Warrego’s reserves and resources. Alternatively, if it is determined that a GWC has been encountered in the WE-4 and WE-5 wells, and the source of the produced water is below a GWC, then any upside is likely to be limited. In any event, based on appraisal results to date, we anticipate having reserves and resources to underpin an investment decision for the West Erregulla Gas Project.
The JV has agreed to undertake a 3D seismic survey over the remainder of EP469 to provide better definition and enhanced subsurface data over a number of undrilled prospects in the block. Scheduling is
yet to be confirmed but could commence in the second half of 2021 calendar year.
Upstream Infrastructure and Gas Processing
In early July, Warrego commenced payments to AGIG for long lead items (LLIs) to enable procurement to commence for the construction of the 87 TJ/d gas processing facility for the West Erregulla Gas Project. Commencing procurement of LLIs in July will enable Phase 1 of the Project to maintain its targeted first
gas date in mid-2023.
In May 2021, AGIG completed the supplementary FEED study for the 87 TJ/d gas processing facility. The
EP469 JV Partners and AGIG are close to finalising construction and gas processing agreements for
Phase 1 of the West Erregulla Gas Project.
Work on JV funded upstream infrastructure is also progressing and the JV is nearing finalisation of FEED
for the gathering system and upstream gathering compound which will transport gas from the West
Erregulla Field to the AGIG gas processing plant.
Project Finance
Warrego is in advanced discussions to form a “banking club” to provide project finance of up to $75 million
for its 50% share of Phase 1 of the West Erregulla Gas Project. During the quarter, the number of banks
involved was reduced to three, all of which are domestic. The banking club will provide both JV partners
with identical project finance packages on a several basis. Warrego’s financing is to be underpinned by
the substantial 155 PJ long-term gas sales contract the Company secured with Alcoa in 2020. Once terms
are agreed, the parties will proceed with technical and legal due diligence and progress with the project
facility documentation.
STP-EPA-0127 (100%, Operator) North Perth Basin
A 2.2 million acre permit application located onshore Coolcalalaya Perth Basin, Western Australia, targeting conventional gas reservoirs.
Native Title and Permit Grant
At 2.2 million acres (8,700km2), EPA-0127 is the largest exploration permit located onshore Western Australia. The permit area is 130km north of the Waitsia and West Erregulla fields and is in the Coolcalalaya
Sub-basin.
A draft conventional six-year work program encompassing stakeholder engagement, environmental and heritage assessment, and exploration activity is being finalised for submission to the DMIRS. The proposed
exploration activities are planned to target similar conventional Permian sequences to those encountered at West Erregulla and Waitsia, as well as investigating the full potential of deeper and older hydrocarbon
prospectivity. Negotiations with Native Title groups are continuing to progress to the final step before the exploration permit can be issued by DMIRS in 2022
Farm-in Interest
The number of Waitsia/West Erregulla-sized prospects situated in the permit with the possibility of yielding
gas or liquid hydrocarbons is generated growing interest among a range of potential partners. During the
quarter Warrego received farm-in inquiries related to EPA-0127. In July, the Company agreed to provide
data room access to an interested party on a confidential basis.
SPANISH ASSETS
In line with its commitment to unlock value from its Spanish exploration and power generation assets,
Warrego is in discussions with various entities interested in acquiring all or part of its holdings in the
Tesorillo and El Romeral projects.
EL ROMERAL PROJECT, Seville Region (50.1% ownership of Operator4 and permits)
Integrated gas production and power station operation on 76,600 acres in southern Spain. Three producing
wells, 13 prospects and multiple low-cost development opportunities with the potential to significantly
increase gas production, electricity generation and revenue.
Operations
Electricity prices are exceptionally high and have been for some time. The transition to a new
governance and management structure has been completed with particular focus on health and safety.
A technical committee has been established to assess immediate opportunities to enhance production
and to put together a longer-term view of development opportunities with a view to increasing production
at a time of high electricity prices. An application to extend the Romeral production licenses was
submitted to the regulator.
TESORILLO PROJECT, Cadiz Region (85% ownership of Operator and permits)
Targeting conventional sandstone gas reservoirs in 94,000 acres in Southern Spain. Tesorillo is estimated
to contain 830 BCF gross unrisked prospective resources on a best estimate basis5. There are no financial
or drilling commitments attached to the permit.
Operations
Warrego continued to liaise with various government agencies to progress drilling approvals and
permitting. An application for a production permit for Tesorillo was submitted to the Ministry for approval
during the quarter. There are no financial or drilling commitments attached to the permit.
CORPORATE AND FINANCIAL
Share Placement
On 25 June 2021, Warrego announced it would raise $50 million via a two-tranche placement to existing
and new institutional, professional and sophisticated investors at an offer price of A$0.22 per share.
Tranche One was completed on 2 July 2021, raising a total of $32.4 million (147.1 million fully paid ordinary
shares). Tranche Two, which will be subject to shareholder approval at a general meeting of the Company,
with a total of $17.6 million to be raised (80.2 million fully paid ordinary shares to be issued).
Proceeds from the Placement will be used to fund Warrego’s 50% share of commitments for Phase 1 of
the West Erregulla gas project including long lead items for the 87 TJ/d gas processing plant and the
upstream gathering system, unbudgeted costs associated with the re-entry, drilling, testing and completion
of the currently suspended WE-3 well, 3D seismic over the balance of the EP469 permit, early-stage
exploration activity of EPA-0127 and general working capital.
Consolidated cash at 30 June 2021 was $13,721,000. Principal outflows for the quarter were $10,158,000
for West Erregulla exploration. A summary of Warrego’s cash flow for the Quarter and year to date is
contained in the attached Appendix 5B statement.
