THE DELIA FIELD, COOPER BASIN, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Abstract

The Della gas field of the Cooper Basin, South Australia, was discovered by Pursuit Oil No Liability and joint venture associates in July 1970. The field covers an area of approximately 17,000 acres in a discrete culmination on the Nappacoongee-Murteree anticlinal trend.

Production is from several fluviatile sandstone units within the Toolachee Formation of the Upper Permian Gidgealpa Group. The trap is essentially structural with a maximum closure of some 450 ft on the top of the Toolachee Formation above a probable gas-water contact at 6,460 ft subsea.

Five of the seven wells drilled to date in the field have been completed as potential gas producers. Production occurs between 6,270 and 6,670 ft and the average total depth is 7,180 ft. Net pay thicknesses vary from 37 to 98 ft and good reservoir characteristics are typical of the producing sands in the field. Twenty-two days are normally required to drill and complete a productive well.