ASX-listed Botala Energy has announced a key milestone in the commissioning of its Project Pitse pilot well-cluster in Botswana, with Serowe-3.4A well successfully brought online. This follows initial production from Serowe-3.1, which is now delivering daily pressure three times greater than previously recorded following recent acid washing, indicating excellent reservoir response.
To further capitalise on recent success, Botala updated its Project Pitse plan with the inclusion of a new, strategically located well: Serowe-3.5B to be drilled ~100 metres north of Serowe-3.5A. This decision follows the discovery of publicly available data for the MAS-13 well in adjacent acreage, which delivered stable flowrates of 100-120,000 scfd (127 GJ/day) over three months, setting a clear benchmark for high-performance Coal Bed Methane (CBM) output in the region.
Serowe-3.5B will be stimulated with a similar design for MAS13 and become the main production well of the updated production pilot. Surrounding this new well will be five existing support dewatering wells: Serowe-3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4A and 3.5A. This new well-cluster is designed to maximise drawdown and reservoir drainage to assess commercial production at scale.
Botala’s recent investment in and deployment of fully refurbished drilling and well-completion equipment significantly reduced costs. This will enable Serowe-3.5B to be delivered for approximately A$200,000, as most of the required equipment has already been acquired. In comparison, fully stimulated wells beyond the Pitse Pilot stimulated wells remain budgeted at A$370,000. This low-cost structure underpins Botala’s strategy and ability to rapidly commercialise CBM production across its Serowe acreage. Having a stimulated well and open holes will allow Botala to complete its cost benefit analysis of the optimal well design.
Kris Martinick, Chief Executive Officer of Botala Energy, stated, “With Serowe-3.4A now online and strong early performance from Serowe-3.1, we are entering a new phase for Project Pitse. The decision to drill and stimulate Serowe-3.5B, based on the outstanding MAS13 results is a clear statement of our commercial ambition. We now have a high performing cluster strategy, a proven low-cost drilling model, and a real opportunity to replicate scalable CBM success in Botswana. Our unique ability to drill, stimulate and complete wells at a fraction of industry-norm costs gives us a competitive edge. Combined with our access to regional markets with high gas prices and limited alternatives, we are in a prime position to rapidly progress this project.”
