surprise production area, page-5

The 500 - 1,000bopd was an estimate given when the cores from the Surprise-1 was studied -" subject to confirmation by electric logging of hydrocarbon saturation". It was also an estimate for a vertical flow test before they decided later on to do a horizontal. They also noted that the fractures within the cores were sub horizontal - that must somehow affect flow rates differently for a vertical vs horizontal well. Does horizontal fractures give better flow rates for the same length of vertical well or horizontal well? No idea.

It is interesting to note that the primary target for the JW-1 was actually the Pacoota sandstone, thought to have been the source rock for the Mereenie oils. The HVS and Stairway sandstone was a secondary shale target. They now believe that the HVS is the source rock for both the Palm valley and Mereenie, and now Johnstone West and Surprise.