Vintage Energy (ASX: VEN) has achieved better-than-expected results from critical optimisation operations at its Odin-1 gas well in central Australia.

After being impacted by ongoing technical issues, the discovery well’s production rate has more than doubled following optimisation operations and the addition of Patchawarra perforations.

Raw gas production has averaged 3.3 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscf/d) in the first 48 hours since coming back online compared to 1.4mmscf/d before being shut in to undertake the procedures.

Long-term solution

Vintage is confident it has identified a long-term solution to the previous issues after the discovery of scale accumulation inside the well.

This is a noted issue in the Cooper Basin area where Odin-1 is located and may have been a major factor in restricting production.

The impeding of flow related to the scale in the well’s completion packer will now be managed in the normal course of operations, while appraisal production of the Patchawarra formation will seek to ascertain its capacity to flow without stimulation.

Production uplift

Managing director Neil Gibbins said the results from the optimisation program were highly encouraging and is pleased to have an effective management plan for future operations.

“The subsequent uplift in production, which includes the potential flow from the newly opened Patchawarra formation, is valuable,” he said.

“The results thus far are clearly positive for the supply and revenue generation capacity of our wells in the field.”

The good news from Odin-1 is expected to be followed up within the next few weeks when Vintage’s promising Odin-2 gas discovery comes online, with the pipeline connecting Odin-2 to production facilities completed and hydrotest preparations underway.

Vali remediation

Vintage also revealed promising news from its nearby Vali gas field, which has also been impacted by technical issues.

The well, which was previously flowing exclusively from the deeper Patchawarra formation, had been shut in due to fluid production that appears to have been preventing the establishment of significant gas flow.

Vintage said the well is performing at a level consistent with that recorded prior to being shut in and it intends to continue to flow the well while monitoring performance to assess evidence of de-watering and the potential root causes of any issues.

In the meantime, the Vali-1 discovery well has maintained production levels consistent with previously reported performance, producing raw gas at 1.1mmscf/d.

Vintage is operator and 50%-interest holder of the permits containing Odin and Vali, with partners Metgasco (ASX: MEL) and Bridgeport each holding 25%.