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Concurrent 2. Oral Presentation for: Technology review of the Northern Bowen and Galilee basins

Michael P. Scott A * and Raymond Johnson Jr A *
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A Centre for Natural Gas, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia.

The APPEA Journal 63 - https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ22304
Published: 2 June 2023

Abstract

Presented on Tuesday 16 May: Session 2

This paper reviews and summarises the work that has been conducted and the technology used in exploring and developing the Northern Bowen and Galilee basins in Queensland. It examines the methods operators have used in drilling, completing and testing wells through the varying stages of exploration, appraisal and development in the different parts of the basins. It examines all the work conducted in the Betts Creek Beds and Aramac Coal Measures throughout the Galilee Basin; the Moranbah Coal Measures, Rangal Coal Measures and Fort Cooper Coal Measures in the Moranbah area of the Bowen Basin; the Rangal Coal Measures, Burngrove Formation and Fairhill Formation in the Blackwater area; the conventional and coal seam gas developments in the Rolleston area, including the Bandanna Formation plays near Injune; and the Baralaba Coal Measures in the Moura area. Wells have been completed both open and cased hole with techniques including vertical wells, both with and without hydraulic fracturing and cavitation, as well as a variety of horizontal well designs including surface to inseam wells with vertical intercept wells and multiple lateral sections, chevron wells and both heel and toe intercepts. Operators have also implemented multiple wells on one pad. Throughout the Northern Bowen Basin, horizontal well drilling has been a key technology in commercial development. Generally, activities within the Galilee Basin have not progressed as far as the Bowen Basin, but nevertheless, horizontal wells are also emerging as a key technology.

To access the Oral Presentation click the link on the right. To read the full paper click here

Keywords: Bowen Basin, coal seam gas, conventional wells, Galilee Basin, horizontal wells, hydraulic fracturing, well and casing design, well completion.

Dr Michael Scott is a consulting Petroleum Engineer with nearly 20 years’ experience in the industry. He currently works on various projects, including as an Industry Fellow at the University of Queensland (UQ). He studied Mechanical Engineering at UQ and then went on to complete his PhD in Aerospace Engineering in 2005. In the same year, he joined Queensland Gas Company as a Petroleum Engineer where he spent 7 years in a range of subsurface roles. In 2012, he joined Senex Energy, where his most recent role was as the Production Engineering Manager. Following this, in November 2018, he joined the Petroleum and Gas Inspectorate where he worked for three and a half years and was the Executive Petroleum Engineer (Well Operations) when he left. Michael is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) and Engineers Australia, is a Chartered Professional Engineer and a Registered Petroleum Engineer of Queensland. He also has a Certificate III in Dog Behaviour and Training.

Prof Raymond Johnson Jr is currently Professor of Well Engineering and Production Technology at UQ, Centre for Natural Gas. He has a PhD in mining engineering, a MSc in petroleum engineering, a Graduate Diploma in Information Technology, and a BA in Chemistry. Prof Johnson is a Life Member of SPE, past Queensland SPE Section chair, twice co-Chair of the SPE Unconventional Reservoir Conference Asia Pacific, 2019 co-Chair and 2021 Advisor of the Unconventional Resources Technology Conference Asia Pacific Conference, and twice SPE Regional Technical Award Recipient (Production Operations and Management and Information). Ray has served in numerous Technical and Management positions in service, operating and consulting companies in the United States and Australia. Prof Johnson is a Fellow in Engineers Australia.