Gas giant Santos has confirmed that the planned Moomba 191 dedicated shale well is commercially viable and will soon begin production of the country’s first dedicated shale well.

 

South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill welcomed the announcement, describing it as a major milestone for the unconventional gas industry in the state.

 

“Unconventional gas has always been regarded as something that would happen in the future but this discovery will lead to unconventional gas being used in households around the state as early as next year,” Mr Weatherill said.

 

“This discovery adds momentum for unconventional gas exploration and development in the South Australian Cooper Basin.

 

“Through the Department for Manufacturing, Innovation, Trade, Resources and Energy, South Australia has been leading the nation in this field for a long time and we are now well-positioned to capitalize on the huge potential of this resource.

 

“This is just the sort of outcome contemplated by South Australia’s Roadmap for Unconventional Gas Projects.”

 

State Minister for Resources and Energy, Tom Koutsantonis, said the announcement was the first step to delivering hundreds of millions, and possible billions, of investment dollars to the State.