GROUND will be broken on Beach Energy’s Haselgrove-4 site in the coming weeks as the gas industry giant looks to tap into conventional reservoirs beneath Limestone Coast soil.
The company has started installing its drilling rig at Haselgrove-4, around 7km south of Penola, which will target natural gas stores between three to four kilometres below the surface.
The well will not be fracture stimulated, with Beach stating the project will operate similarly to the Haselgrove-3 well which broke ground in 2017.
Beach Energy South East regional manager Jon Conti said the drilling program for Haselgrove-4 was anticipated to take between six to eight weeks.
“If commercial quantities of gas are discovered, the completed well will be connected to the Katnook Gas Plant to increase the local volume of natural gas supplied within the region,” Mr Conti said.
“Natural gas is an essential source of energy in South Australia, in particular in the south east, where many industries heavily rely upon its supply to power their operations.”
“Broad community engagement has taken place over the past nine months in readiness for the start of the Haselgrove-4 and subsequent Dombey-1 drilling campaign.
“Beach has a long history of safely operating in the in the South East and we look forward to that continuing with our renewed presence.”
Beach has recently consulted on a new Statement of Environmental Objectives (SEO), a document which helps regulate its activities and is required to be reviewed every five years.
The existing SEO remains valid until which time the new SEO is approved by the regulator.
Mr Conti encouraged residents with any concerns or questions to visit Beach Energy’s Church Street office.
