An independent review has firmed up the potential size of the giant Strike Energy-operated West Erregulla gas field in Western Australia’s onshore Perth basin.

Field partner Warrego Energy revealed Monday an independent certification by Perth-based Risc Advisory placed the gross best estimate contingent resources of the central area reservoir of the field at 513 billion cubic feet.

“To achieve certified 2C contingent resources of 513 Bcf gross from only one well confirms West Erregulla’s status as a world class asset with significant upside potential,” Warrego chief executive Dennis Donald said.

“To put this in perspective, three wells were drilled on the nearby Waitsia field before similar volumes were booked.

“Importantly, independent third-party certification also provides a high level of certainty to prospective gas buyers as well as potential suppliers and stakeholders. It also enables Warrego to target optimal outcomes when negotiating gas sales and processing arrangement.”

Donald added that talks were ongoing with a number of potential gas buyers, with the company “actively progressing commercialisation options”.

The independent review by Risc also placed the best estimate gas-in-place in the central area reservoir at 728 Bcf, while it estimated the gas in place in the northern area reservoir, where no wells have been drilled, at 164 Bcf.

Strike and Warrego made the West Erregulla discovery last year and operator Strike believes the find to be one of the largest conventional gas fields ever discovered onshore Australia.

The pair hope to firm up the size of the discovery with a two-well appraisal campaign later this year as they look to make a final investment decision on the first phase development by the end of the year.

Strike has previously estimated the Kingia and Highcliff sands at West Erregulla hold nearly 1.4 trillion cubic feet of discovered original gas in place and nearly 1.2 Tcf of best estimate contingent resources.

West Erregulla lies in EP469, which Strike operates in a 50:50 partnership with Warrego.(Copyright)