Abstract

The Elk and Antelope gas field in the onshore Eastern Papuan Basin of Papua New Guinea are in a remote location in the foot hills of the Central Range of Papua New Guinea. The Antelope gas field lies at the crest of a folded shallow marine carbonate build up which forms the prominent feature at the NE end of the line. Clearly the Antelope build-up has been significantly deformed in the leading edge of the Aure Tectonic Belt. To see what this looked like prior to deformation it is possible to look near by in the Gulf of Papua and the Uramu Reef and Platform Complex. Morpholgy of the Uramu build up is considered a good "pre-deformational" analogue for the Antelope Reef Complex. The Uramu Reef Complex straddles the coastline lying partially onshore and partially offshore and has been penetrated by 5 wells: Uramu 1 and 1A wells, Ini reefal well, fore-reef Iniri-1 well, and the reefal Ini-1 well. InterOil has completed a significant work program towards the Appraisal of the Elk and Antelope Fields. InterOil received its current Petroleum Prospecting Licenses in PPL236, PPL237 and PPL238 in March 2003. These licenses had been top filed in order to capture incentive fiscal terms being offered by the PNG Government to stimulate oil and gas exploration.

Keywords: Papuan Fold Belt • Aure Tectonic Belt • Hau/ Tsoma Fault Trend • Mena Syncline • Wana Swell • Thomas Fault Trend • Shelfal Darai Limestone • Basinal Puri • Omati Trough • Uramu Reef/ Platform