Mosman Oil and Gas Limited (AIM: MSMN) the hydrocarbon, helium and hydrogen exploration, development, and production company, provides and project update on its Australian project EP 145, (Mosman holds a 100% interest), where it continues to work to secure all required approvals for the next step of exploration.
A Farmout Agreement was signed with a subsidiary of Greenvale Energy (ASX:GRV) in October 2023, whereby GRV can earn a 75% interest by funding seismic acquisition and drilling a well (to a cap of AUD 5.5 million). This currently remains subject to completion pending ministerial approval. GRV have advised that recent meetings with NT departments were positive, and the project remains on track. To avoid any concerns that there was a date when either party could terminate the Farm-in, the parties have agreed to extend that date to 30 April 2024.
Two wells have been drilled in EP 145 in the 1980's, both encountered hydrocarbons but were not tested for hydrogen or helium which were not identified in the basin until the mid-2000's. Those wells which have tested for helium have demonstrated significant helium content at various structural levels.
All existing seismic data in the permit has been reprocessed by Mosman and a large structure, which may be an extension of the West Walker anticline, identified. A Prospective Resource estimate for EP-145 was published by Mosman in October 2022 and is detailed below.
Total Gas
Low Estimate: 12
Best Estimate: 440
High Estimate: 2,290
Helium
Low Estimate: 0.3
Best Estimate: 26.4
High Estimate: 229
Hydrogen
Low Estimate: 0.24
Best Estimate: 26.4
High Estimate: 275
The seismic acquisition programme is planned for the first half of 2024, with results due and a well location announced before end of Permit Year 3 in August 2024, followed by drilling in the following Permit Year.
As Greenvale notes in its ASX announcements, helium has a "Surging Price and Fast-Growing Market" and "The global helium market is forecast to grow from US$5 billion in 2023 to over US$8 billion by 2030 with a current price of USD 450/Mscf."
Greenvale also notes "Amadeus Basin has some of the highest concentrations of helium globally, as well as confirmed hydrogen accumulations."
- EP 145 sits within recognised play fairways for helium and hydrogen and contains proven hydrocarbon discoveries
- Lies on-trend with the producing Mereenie Oil & Gas Field
- Successful helium wells located along the margins of the Amadeus Basin at Mt Kitty-1 and Magee-1
- Existing pipeline infrastructure to Australian East Coast provides opportunity for early commercialization
Andy Carroll, CEO of Mosman commented: "We are pleased to see continued progress in EP 145 where we see potential for helium and hydrogen as well as proven hydrocarbons."