88 Energy (ASX:88E) is confident its newly acquired access to an Alaskan government 3D seismic dataset will significantly boost its understanding of its new Kad River East leases.
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Recently released by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Oil and Gas Division, the Kad River 3D survey covers the entirety of the newly secured Kad River East leases, comprising approximately 17,920 acres east of the Trans Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS).
MD, Ashley Gilbert, told shareholders the 3D seismic data, in combination with historical well logs, will enable 88 Energy to apply its technical expertise to design a data-driven exploration program across the under-explored region.
88 Energy will now interpret the 3D dataset to support the maturation of prospects within the Kad River East leases and enable the calculation of an internal maiden resource estimate, expected to be released in 2H CY26.
The Kad River East acreage is considered a longer‐term exploration opportunity that complements 88 Energy’s near‐term focus at the South Prudhoe project, which includes the planned Augusta‐1 drilling program.
“These assets collectively provide diversified exposure to multiple independent exploration plays within a staged portfolio framework,” Mr Gilbert said.
Kad River East is composed of some seven newly acquired leases covering ~17,920 gross acres released in the North Slope Area-wide CY25 Oil and Gas Lease Sale.
The Australian company’s technical team identified this acreage as showing high prospectivity, as an under-explored frontier-style opportunity, with the analysis supported by historical well data and modern seismic interpretation, which indicated the presence of a multi‐reservoir petroleum system.
Mr Gilbert said recent regional mapping by 88E highlighted the development of turbidite fairways analogous to the productive Sockeye fields to the east.
88 Energy is confident the nearby Sockeye‐2 well provides a compelling analogue supporting the resource potential of the broader Kad River East area. Sockeye-2 delivered exceptional performance during a 12‐day flow test, averaging ~2,700 barrels of oil per day without stimulation or artificial lift.
“88 Energy’s experience on the North Slope reinforces its belief that modern 3D seismic imaging and interpretation are critical to delivering exploration success and ensuring disciplined capital allocation,” Mr Gilbert stated.
The Oz company chief continued: “3D seismic provides an order-of-magnitude improvement in subsurface resolution, when compared with 2D data.”
88E is down -7.41% to 2.5¢. Mkt cap $31.24M.
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