Strike Energy (STX) has begun preliminary activities at the Walyering-5 well in the Perth Basin, Western Australia after logistical delays.

Strike is the operator and holds a 55 per cent equity interest in the Walyering onshore gas field through a joint venture with Talon Energy (TPD) which holds the remaining 45 per cent.

Preliminary activities have begun with mobilisation of the majority of the Halliburton well testing package complete, and W5 rigged up for the initial clean-up, perforation and unloading of the well.

However, the surge tank and separator, equipment that is reportedly critical to measurement activities and testing, are waiting to clear customs and quarantine at Fremantle Port which is expected to occur within a fortnight.

While the company awaits these items, the D-Sand has been perforated across a 12.6-metre interval, has unloaded the well bore fluids and is flowing gas through the bypass.

The D-Sand reservoir pressure is estimated at 4,516 pounds per square inch (psi), and is reportedly flowing with well head pressures of 2,184 psi.

It was also observed to contain a wet gas with condensate present within the hydrocarbon stream, which will be accurately measured when the separator is installed and testing continues.

Strike said these results, while preliminary in nature, are “very encouraging”, with the D-Sand representing only 35 per cent of the total net pay measured in the petrophysical evaluation of the well.

Once the equipment arrives and are tied into the flow testing package, each of the four reservoirs are set to be tested individually for several days, before being followed by a comingled test of all horizons.

The company expects this work to take between 15-20 days to complete.

Strike is already moving forward towards the Walyering-6 well, where civil works are underway, in preparation for drilling activities with spudding scheduled for May.

Company shares were flat in early trade this morning at 30.5 cents.