Pure One’s Venus-2H Logs 445m of Coal With Gas Shows Peaking at 42.3%
Key Takeaways
- Venus-2H reached total depth of 1,450m and successfully intersected the Venus-1 vertical wellbore at approximately 927m measured depth, establishing the integrated well system required for dewatering and flow testing.
- Gas shows peaked at 42.3% in the second sidetrack — well above the 8% threshold classified as excellent under the wellsite rating system — with almost all recorded readings across all three wellbore sections rated excellent.
- The well encountered a cumulative 445m of interpreted net Macalister Lower target coal, including a continuous 148m interval between 1,181m and 1,329m measured depth in the second sidetrack.
- Operations now shift to well completion, rig demobilisation, and installation of surface production and water-handling equipment ahead of the dewatering and flow testing programme — the first real measure of commercial potential.
- Pure One holds a 69.4% interest in Project Venus, operated by Eastern Gas Corporation (ASX: EGA), with flow test results representing the next material value catalyst for the stock.
Pure One’s Venus-2H well hits total depth with excellent gas shows peaking at 42.3%
Pure One Corporation‘s 69.4%-owned Venus-2H horizontal appraisal well at Project Venus in Queensland’s Surat Basin has reached total depth of 1,450m and successfully intersected the existing Venus-1 vertical wellbore. The well, operated by Eastern Gas Corporation (ASX: EGA), intersected Venus-1 at approximately 927m measured depth (approximately 426m vertical depth) and encountered a cumulative 445m of interpreted net Macalister Lower target coal. Gas shows recorded throughout the target intervals peaked at 42.3%, with almost all readings classified as excellent under the wellsite rating system. The successful intersection advances Project Venus toward its first meaningful reservoir assessment via dewatering and flow testing, the stage that will provide the first real measure of the reservoir’s commercial potential.
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Venus-1 intersection establishes the integrated well system
The subsurface connection between Venus-2H and Venus-1 was achieved through a refined drilling sequence:
- The first sidetrack commenced from approximately 775m measured depth to refine the well trajectory and achieve the planned intersection
- Venus-2H successfully intersected the Venus-1 vertical wellbore at approximately 927m measured depth (approximately 426m vertical depth)
- Following confirmation of the intersection through drilling indications, the ranging assembly was replaced with a geosteering assembly and drilling continued through the target coal
The intersection establishes the planned subsurface connection between the two wells. Following completion and commissioning, the integrated Venus-2H/Venus-1 well system is designed to enable water and gas entering the Venus-2H horizontal wellbore to flow through Venus-1 to the surface facilities during dewatering and flow testing. That subsurface pathway is what allows the horizontal well to produce through the vertical well’s existing infrastructure, the critical design feature for the testing phase ahead.
445 metres of net target coal and repeated excellent gas shows
Across the original wellbore and two sidetracks, Venus-2H encountered a total of 445m of interpreted net Macalister Lower coal within the current production wellbore. This includes 148m of continuous target coal between 1,181m and 1,329m measured depth in the second sidetrack.
| Wellbore Section | Total Gas Reading Range | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Original wellbore | 2.5% – 18.0% | Excellent (>8%) |
| First sidetrack | 8.8% – 23.8% | Excellent |
| Second sidetrack | 4.5% – 42.3% (well max) | Excellent |
Under the classification used for the drilling programme, readings above 8% are considered excellent gas shows. Almost all recorded shows were classified as excellent under the wellsite rating system. These readings represent hydrocarbons released from coal cuttings during drilling and detected by the rig’s surface gas-monitoring equipment. Importantly, they confirm the presence of gas within the intersected coal but do not represent gas flow rates or provide a direct measure of future well productivity. That assessment will come from the planned dewatering and production-testing programme.
At approximately 1,117m measured depth in the first sidetrack, Venus-2H exited the Macalister Lower coal seam. Drilling and geosteering data indicated an interpreted fault displacement of approximately 4m. The first sidetrack was extended to better delineate the structure but did not establish sustained re-entry into the target seam. Using the geological and geosteering information obtained from the first sidetrack, the drilling team commenced a second sidetrack from approximately 1,047m measured depth. The second sidetrack re-entered the target coal at 1,061m and, after crossing the interpreted structural displacement, re-entered the Macalister Lower coal seam at 1,181m measured depth.
Understanding coal seam gas and why flow testing matters
Coal seam gas (CSG) is natural gas stored within coal seams, typically adsorbed to the coal surface and held in place by water pressure within the reservoir. For the gas to flow to the surface, that water must be removed first, a process called dewatering. Reducing the reservoir pressure allows the gas to desorb from the coal and begin flowing.
The horizontal well at Venus-2H intersects the coal seam over a long interval, providing multiple contact points with the gas-bearing rock. The connection to Venus-1 allows water and gas entering the horizontal section to flow through the vertical well to surface facilities, where production rates can be measured and controlled.
Gas shows, like the 42.3% peak recorded at Venus-2H, confirm gas is present in the coal. But they do not tell you how much gas the reservoir can produce over time, or at what rate. That is what flow testing measures. The test phase ahead will reduce reservoir pressure, trigger gas desorption, and measure how the reservoir responds. That data — water production rates, timing of gas breakthrough, sustained gas flow — is what determines whether the project can deliver commercial production. This is the key value inflection point for Project Venus.
Operations move to completion and flow testing
With Venus-2H having reached total depth, operations now shift to well completion and preparation for testing:
- Recover the drilling assembly and prepare the wellbore for installation of the planned completion liner, designed to maintain access to the intersected coal intervals and facilitate the flow of water and gas through Venus-2H towards the connection with Venus-1
- Rig down and demobilise the drilling rig and associated services from site
- Install and commission the required surface production, water-handling and gas-measurement equipment
- Commence dewatering of the target coal intervals to reduce reservoir pressure and support gas desorption and flow
- Measure water production, reservoir pressure response, timing of gas breakthrough and subsequent gas flow performance
Pure One has stated it will provide further updates following completion of the well, commencement of flow testing, and as material test results become available. The successful Venus-1 intersection, 445m of interpreted net target coal and gas shows of up to 42.3% represent important operational milestones. The next phase of dewatering and production testing will provide the first meaningful assessment of the reservoir’s ability to deliver commercial gas. That assessment is the catalyst investors should watch.
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Management outlook
Scott Brown, Managing Director
“Pure One is pleased to see the well being drilled to 1,450 metres at Venus-2H. The successful intersection with Venus-1, followed by extended drilling within the target Macalister Lower coal seam, represents an important operational milestone for the program. The drilling results with excellent gas shows peaking at 42.3% and 445 metres of interpreted net Macalister Lower coal seam are very encouraging. The Venus 2H and Venus 1 wells will now be set up for dewatering and flow testing. We are now looking forward to the flow testing with confidence.”
Project Venus sits within Pure One’s broader clean energy portfolio, which includes natural gas projects operated through Eastern Gas (ASX: EGA) and an indirect exposure to Botswana gas via the company’s strategic investment in Botala Energy (ASX: BTE). Pure One also operates in zero-emission mobility and energy solutions, including battery-electric vehicles and battery-swap systems. The Venus flow testing programme represents the next material milestone for the company’s Australian natural gas development pathway.
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