Central Petroleum Limited 的相关子公司（25% 的股权）及其 Mereenie JV 合作伙伴已正式批准在北领地的 Mereenie 油气田（“Mereenie”）钻探两口开发井。该投资决定是在最近宣布与北领地政府（“NTG GSA”）达成天然气销售协议之后做出的。Mereenie

开发井预计将使油田生产能力从目前的 27 TJ/d（100% 合资）恢复到 30 TJ/d（100% 合资）以上，并在其使用寿命内生产至少 25 PJ 的天然气（100% 合资）。新井的稳定天然气将出售给最近签署的 NTG GSA，成功完成井后，产量可增加至 6 TJ/d。

这些开发活动是对 Central 最近完成的天然气营销活动发出的强烈市场信号的回应。预计每口井需要 30 天时间，目标是 Pacoota 3 (P3) 储层的顶部（深度约为 1,500 米），以优化生产率和气田采收率。Central 承担的 25% 成本预计总计约为 800 万美元，可从现有现金储备中支付。该项目的

经济效益十分可观，受益于 NTG GSA 和通过使用现有地面基础设施降低的增量生产成本。

作为运营商，Central 已与 Ventia Australia Pty Ltd 签订合同，让 Rig 101 钻探两口新的 Mereenie 井，即 West Mereenie 29 和 30。预计钻探将于今年年底左右开始，预计天然气生产将于 2025 年上半年开始。

Central 董事总经理 Leon Devaney 表示：“Central 及其合作伙伴很高兴继续通过向北领地居民供应北领地天然气来支持国内市场。NTG GSA、Mereenie 产量增加以及我们负债减少预计将在未来 12 到 24 个月内推动 Central 自由现金流发生重大变化。我们现在期待按时按预算成功完成这些油井，并在北领地和更广泛的东海岸市场迫切需要更稳定的天然气供应时增加我们的天然气产量。”

Central Petroleum Limited’s relevant subsidiary company (25% interest) and its Mereenie JV partners have formally approved the drilling of two development wells at the Mereenie Oil and Gas Field (“Mereenie”) in the Northern Territory. This investment decision follows the recently announced Gas Sales Agreements with the Northern Territory Government (“NTG GSA”).

The Mereenie development wells are expected to return field production capacity back above 30 TJ/d (100% JV) from the current 27 TJ/d (100% JV) and produce at least 25 PJ of gas (100% JV) over their lifetime. Firm gas from the new wells is to be sold into the recently executed NTG GSA which can be expanded by up to 6 TJ/d following successful completion of the wells.

These development activities are in response to strong market signals arising from Central’s recently completed gas marketing campaign. The wells are estimated to take 30 days each, and target the crest of the Pacoota 3 (P3) reservoir (at depths of around 1,500m) to optimise productivity and gas recovery from the field. Central’s 25% share of costs for this program is expected to total approximately $8 million and can be funded from existing cash reserves.

Project economics are compelling, benefitting from the NTG GSA and low incremental production costs through the use of existing surface infrastructure.

Central, as Operator, has contracted with Ventia Australia Pty Ltd to have Rig 101 drill the two new Mereenie wells, West Mereenie 29 and 30. Drilling is anticipated to commence around the end of this year, with commencement of gas production expected in the first half of 2025.

Central’s Managing Director Leon Devaney said, “Central and its partners are pleased to continue supporting the domestic market by supplying Territory gas to Territorians. The NTG GSA, increased production at Mereenie, and our declining liabilities are expected to drive a step-change in Central’s free cash flow over the next 12 to 24 months. We now look forward to successfully completing these wells on time and on budget, and increasing our gas production at a time when the Territory and the broader east coast market are crying out for more firm gas supply.”