Exxon Mobil’s Muruk-1 sidetrack well encounters sandstone reservoirs in PNG

Publicly traded international oil and gas company Exxon Mobil’s Muruk-1 sidetrack well in the Papua New Guinea (PNG) North Highlands has yielded positive drilling results.

According to the company, the Muruk-1 sidetrack well, located 13 miles (21km) north-west of the Hides gas field, was safely drilled to 13,550ft (4,130m).

During drilling, Sandstone reservoirs were encountered south-west of the Muruk-1 natural gas discovery announced last year.

ExxonMobil Exploration Company president Steve Greenlee said: “This important discovery confirms the extent of the Muruk area and further establishes Muruk as a potentially significant new discovery with the same high-quality sandstone reservoirs as the Hides field that underpins the PNG LNG project.

“The diversity of our onshore and offshore portfolio demonstrates the strength of ExxonMobil’s long-term investment approach and the opportunities that exist to grow our business in Papua New Guinea.”

The well is located in Petroleum prospecting licence 402, which covers 126,000 acres (510km²) in the PNG Highlands.

Commenting at the time of the gas discovery last year, Greenlee noted: “We are excited by the results of the Muruk-1 exploration well, which confirms the presence of hydrocarbons in the same high-quality sandstone reservoirs as the Hides field that underpins the PNG LNG project.

“Over the coming months, we will work with our co-venturers to better determine the full resource potential.”

Oil Search, the operator, began drilling the Muruk-1 well in November last year.

ExxonMobil, Oil Search and Barracuda each own an interest of 42.5%, 37.5% and 20% respectively.