Natural Gas

TMK, Talon Energy hit strong coal-gas deposits in Mongolia

Mon 23 May 22, 11:06am (AEDT)
A scenic photograph of a vast field in Mongolia's interior with clouds hanging over distant mountains
Source: Unsplash

Key Points

  • Partnership spearheaded by TMK has announced intersection of 70m of gassy coals in the Snow Leopard-2 well onsite Gurvantes XXXV CSG Project
  • Acreage is located in South Gobi desert region of Mongolia, an emerging CSG hotspot
  • Company intends to convert prospective resources into JORC compliant contingent resource at end of 2022 exploration run

TMK Energy (ASX:TMK) and Talon Energy (ASX:TPD) have jointly announced the discovery of a 70 metre thick gas-bearing coal body at 167 metres depth onsite the partnerships’ Mongolia-based Gurvantes CSG Project in the southern region of Mongolia’s Gobi Desert, Nariin Sukhait. 

TMK holds a 100% interest in the project, Talon Energy retains a 33% working interest which it acquired via farm-out last year. 

Preliminary results from downhole the recently spud Snow Leopard-2 well (SL-02) “indicate high gas contents,” the partnership states, and is currently at a depth of 360 metres. 

The 70m thick coal body identified today was located at 167m depth, a relatively shallow depth compared to the full capability of the drill rig on-site. 

The total planned depth for SL-02 sees it conclude at 600m. Upon completion of the drill run, further downhole tests will be conducted.

(Source: Talon Energy) A map detailing the location of the Gurvantes Project
(Source: Talon Energy) A map detailing the location of the Gurvantes Project

Promising signs already for first two Gurvantes wells 

The partnership interprets initial gas results to reflect gas contents of between 11.4 metres cubed per tonne and 15.2m3/t.

Meanwhile, the company continues to interpret datasets from the Snow Leopard-1 well, with over 40 samples being used to build a better idea of geology and recoverable downhole gas. 

Coal quality data, according to the partnership, indicates bituminous coal ranked in between A and B types, consistent with the Surat and Bowen Basin CSG geologies in Australia. 

Harsh terrain impacting equipment, but nothing major 

While the results are promising news for the partnership, it did note some operational challenges in carrying out technical tests in SL-02 due to the quality of equipment, hole conditions, and “testing methods.” 

The partnership expects these issues to be remedied quickly, and do not threaten the economics of the project. 

New equipment is being mobilised on-site.

TMK Energy's 1Y chart reflects gradual progress in price growth; shares are up 20% today as smallcap gets a boost
TMK Energy's 1Y chart reflects gradual progress in price growth; shares are up 20% today as smallcap gets a boost

 

Written By

Jonathon Davidson

Finance Writer

Jonathon is a journalism graduate and avid market watcher with exposure to governance, NGO and mining environments. He was most recently hired as an oil and gas specialist for a trade publication.

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