Japanese company Inpex Ltd and joint venture partner Total E&P Australia have announced a new gas discovery in the Browse Basin.
Both companies acquired the the WA-344-P exploration acreage in late last year and completed the Mimia-1 well in last month. A 72 metre gas column was found and a production test completed recently confirmed the discovery of gas and condensate.
The Mimia-1 well was drilled in a water depth of 254 metres and is located approximately 20 kilometres north-east of the Inpex operated WA-285-P permit which contains the giant Ichthys gas-condensate field.
Inpex and Total are preparing the development of the Ichthys gas-condensate field and will consider how the Mimia discovery could be developed taking into account potential synergy with the Ichthys development.
Inpex is currently deciding between Western Australia and the Northern Territory as a place to host a $12 billion liquefied natural gas plant, where gas would be pumped from the Ichthys field in the Browse Basin off the Kimberley coast.
Last month NT Chief Minister Paul Henderson called an early state election for August 9, a move he said was necessary to secure the Japanese gas plant.
The gas plant could come up as an election issue for WA's election, which was called yesterday for September 6.
