UNCONVENTIONAL HYDROCARBONS...
... UNCONVENTIONAL THINKING
RIVER OF SAND
WARREGO: AN ABORIGINAL WORD MEANING RIVER OF SAND. A RIVER CLASS DESTROYER, BUILT IN SCOTLAND, AND SHIPPED TO AUSTRALIA, IN SECTIONS, FOR RE-ASSEMBLY AT THE COCKATOO SHIPYARD, SERVED WITH SOME DISTINCTION DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR.
Warrego Energy is an independent development and production company based in Aberdeen, Scotland, with a global mandate to secure and develop unconventional hydrocarbon reserves overlooked or bypassed by E & P companies with more conventional business models. The company is run by an energetic, focused and highly motivated team of oilfield professionals with many years of relevant industry experience. Warrego joins a growing number of businesses established to exploit the vast global reserves of unconventional hydrocarbons. Warrego s initial focus is on Western Australia, where the company holds the West Erregulla Exploration Permit. The company is targeting assets where the application of advanced drilling techniques and innovative production technologies provide a route to add significant value. OVER TIME OIL PRICES WILL RISE
There is broad consensus that energy consumption will increase significantly through the 21st century. Though there may be some debate around the numbers, it is clear that resource constraints will result in a shortfall on the supply side of the equation, leading to social and economic discomfort for many. Business models that served well in an age of cheap and easy oil are less fit for purpose in the evolving oil and gas landscape of the 21st century. Almost all remaining conventional reserves are in areas of geopolitical concern and security of supply particularly for Westernised hydrocarbon economies is a pressing issue.
Hydrocarbons will continue to provide the largest share of escalating global energy demand in the medium term. Meeting this demand is an enormous challenge. The ongoing viability of the oil and gas industry and its ability to meet anticipated demand are substantially dependent on both new technology and successful exploitation of unconventional hydrocarbons. THE DAYS OF CHEAP GAS ARE OVER New thinking and new models are urgently required to meet energy needs of the future!
The position in Western Australia is similar but with greater dependence on gas. Plentiful supplies of cheap domestic gas have fuelled strong growth in Western Australia s economy. Continued economic growth remains inextricably linked to a gas supply that increasingly struggles to keep pace with demand. Western Australia s vast reserves of unconventional gas have remained largely unexploited because: easy or conventional gas was readily available and easily exploited suitable techniques and technologies were not available to meet the technical challenges a low gas price environment meant that many projects could not be made economic.
Domestic gas prices have increased significantly over the last three years. This trend is forecast to continue as supplies remain tight and demand increases. Price spikes are foreseeable and the supply situation in Western Australia over the next 7 10 years has been described as critical. Warrego believes Western Australia is an attractive region in which to make its first investment because: there are substantial reserves of unconventional gas located onshore and relatively close to infrastructure and thus to market there is a well established, vibrant, oil and gas service sector serving the region out of Perth it is geopolitically and fiscally stable the price trend is up and demand is set to outpace supply in the short to middle term. TRAPPED BY CONVENTIONAL THINKING
Unconventional hydrocarbons are simply oil or gas contained in difficult to produce rock formations. Gas from tight gas sands, coal bed methane, and heavy oil are examples of unconventional hydrocarbons. Historically, technical challenges and cost issues around producing these reserves deterred resource exploration and development. Depleting conventional resources, and forecast growth in energy consumption now drive the need to develop alternate resources. Innovations in drilling, completion, and production techniques, strategies and technologies have brought billions of barrels of oil and trillions of cubic feet of gas within reach.
TECHNOLOGY IS THE KEY
Warrego s strategy is biased towards securing resource plays where the application of innovative techniques and technologies will deliver substantial value over that achievable by conventional means. Appropriate application of, for example, advanced drilling techniques, such as underbalanced drilling and coiled tubing drilling can maximise production and allow reclassification of reserves. These techniques, expertly applied, have proved to be enabling technologies in unlocking the value of tight gas reserves in Australia. The innovative techniques, technologies, thinking and experience that Warrego can bring to bear on each development will prove to be a unique differentiator.
Warrego s investment and operating philosophy is based on: a portfolio approach no single asset or development will dominate investing in proven hydrocarbon basins investing across a spread of appraisal and development projects biased towards development and production limiting and carefully managing exposure to informed exploration securing a majority interest, where possible, to enable a farm-down programme and an opportunity to work with like minded coventurers who add value as well as funding. ETHICAL, RESPONSIBLE & INNOVATIVE Each investment will be managed through in-country asset management teams, together with co-venturers and aligned service providers enabling optimum operational control.
Warrego s acquisition strategy and operating philosophy have developed around a commitment to apply advanced technologies, modern and innovative operating practices, and the highest quality technical work to the company s portfolio. Warrego believes that the maximum value of an asset can only be achieved through genuine alignment of all stakeholders interests throughout the hydrocarbon exploitation cycle. The company is committed to the highest standards of safety, environmental and social responsibility. Care and respect for any person touched by its operations and the land upon which such operations are conducted are fundamental principles upon which the company is built.
A HYDROCARBONS BUSINESS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY
warregoenergy.com