Transocean rig sails in for multi-well Otway Basin gas campaign
The Transocean Equinox semisubmersible drilling rig has arrived in the Otway Basin offshore southeast Australia, ahead of the multi-partner Otway Exploration Drilling Program (OEDP).
According to 3D Energi's April 10 news release, the rig is contracted for a minimum 16-well drilling campaign for a consortium of four operators, led by ConocoPhillips Australia.
Currently, the co-venturers expect the OEDP Phase 1 drilling campaign to start in third-quarter 2025, depending on receipt of regulatory approvals and any operational delays, such as weather downtime.
The initial planned program comprises up to six exploration wells in water depths ranging from 53 m to 200 m across the VIC/P79 and T/49P exploration permits offshore Victoria and Tasmania. Two firm wells have been contracted for Phase 1 this year, followed by up to four optional wells in Phase 2 (2026-2028).
Following acceptance of the drilling environment plan by the regulator, seabed surveys should get underway this month over VIC/P79 and continue for about four weeks, ocean conditions permitting.
Final determination of the well locations will follow completion of subsurface 3D seismic interpretation studies across both permits.
Preparations also continue for securing well operations and safety approvals from NOPSEMA, which involves the submission and review of a well operations management plan and the safety case revision.
The goal of the drilling program is to discover commercial gas volumes that could supply Australia’s East Coast market to ensure continued power generation, industrial processes and residential heating.
As production from the Bass Strait gas fields declines, combined with the ongoing East Coast energy crisis, 3D Energi said the campaign could be critical to maintaining gas supplies to Victoria and the broader region, with structural supply gaps expected from 2029 in southern Australia.
The exploration focus will be on low-risk gas prospects with direct hydrocarbon indications in the offshore Otway Basin, with proximity to existing infrastructure.
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