Tamboran’s big rig breaks Beetaloo drill record

Tamboran’s so-called super rig has broken a drill speed record in the NT. Read how it’s improving operations.

Tamboran’s giant Helmerich & Payne rig has delivered immediate benefits toresource company’s Beetaloo Basin operations.

The so-called super spec Flex 3 Rig set a new record for the well depth drilled at the Beetaloo project.

The rig was deployed to drill the Shenandoah South 1H (SS1H) well near Daly Waters.

Tamboran chief executive Joel Riddle said the rig achieved a total depth of 3300 metres in 21.5 days, drilling an average 153 metres a day.

The hole intersected about 90m of high quality mid velkerri B shale, with strong dry gas flows.

Joel Riddle, chief executive Tamboran Resources.

He said this was a new record for wells drilled below 3000m in the Beetaloo.

“I am extremely excited by the immediate improvement in drilling efficiency of the H&P rig and initial results from the logging of Shenandoah South,” he said.

“Initial data supports our view that the deeper areas in the Beetaloo Basin contain some of the thickest and highest quality B Shale intersected to date in the Beetaloo Basin.

“The 90 metres of Mid Velkerri B Shale is approximately 20 per cent thicker than the Tanumbirini area.

“Preliminary observations suggest the rock properties continue to compare favourably to that of the Marcellus Shale in the United States.”

Tamboran’s Helmerich & Payne rig at the Shenandoah South field near Daly Waters.

The Marcellus field is globally recognised as the most prolific shale basin in the

world, with production exceeding 25 billion cubic feed per day during 2022.

“The Marcellus helped the northeastern United States achieve material greenhouse gas emission reductions as gas-fired power replaced coal-fired power across the region,” he said.

“We hope Australia can follow a similar pathway to decarbonisation, while supplying Australian families and industries with an affordable and secure energy resource.”

Tamboran Resources is the largest acreage holder and operator at the Beetaloo, with 1.9m acres pegged with seven prospects including Sheandoah South and Tanumbirini.

Tamboran’s key assets include a 25 per cent non-operated working interest in the EP 161 field, a 100 per cent working interest and operatorship in EP 136, EP 143 and EP 197 and a 38.75 per cent working interest and operatorship in EPs 98, 117 and 76.

Tamboran is now focusing on the development of the proposed EP 98/117 pilot development, targeting first production by the end of 2025, and development of the proposed Northern Territory LNG development at Middle Arm, with first production by the end of 2030.