PESA Gazette

From Core to Concept: PESA’s Practical Geoscience Workshops with Boyan Vakarelov

12/08/2026 Posted by Helen

In July, PESA brought a refreshing emphasis on practical geological interpretation to its technical program, hosting a series of workshops and lectures led by internationally recognised sedimentologist Dr Boyan Vakarelov, founder of SEDBASE.

Across Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland, participants were given the opportunity to move beyond traditional presentation-based technical training and work directly with core, depositional analogues, conceptual models and forward stratigraphic modelling. The result was a highly practical exploration of how geoscientists can improve their understanding of the subsurface — particularly where seismic resolution and well control leave significant uncertainty.

Vakarelov's program centred on...

Sydney Oilies Reunion – Thursday 10 December 2026

12/08/2026 Posted by Rachel

PESA-NSW/ACT is hosting what we hope to be the first of many reunions for people who at some point in time were part of the upstream oil and gas industry in Sydney. Andrew Nelson has been gathering plenty of old photographs and is putting together a fascinating package for a rolling slideshow and talk on the past efforts of our many forebears across the many generations since PESA was formed out of the then APPEA over fifty years ago.

It will be a sit-down luncheon at 12:30pm at the Castlereagh Boutique Hotel on Thursday 10 December 2026.

This is an opportunity for you to reconnect with former work colleagues, joint venture partners, customers, clients, etc.

AEP 2027 – Call for Papers Now Open

12/08/2026 Posted by Rachel

Each year the Australian Energy Producers Conference & Exhibition brings together the brightest minds in the energy sector to exchange ideas, challenge thinking and showcase innovation. The 2027 Conference will be held in Perth from 17-20 May 2027.

Australian Energy Producers have opened the Call for Papers for submissions to create the Technical & Business Program. The Technical & Business Program is again generously sponsored by bp and will feature both oral and visual (poster) presentations, selected through the Call for Papers process.

Submissions are invited from both Australian and overseas contributors, from diverse backgrounds, disciplines and perspectives, on a wide range of technical and strategic issues that shape our industry.

Your Voice Matters – Check your junk mail so you don’t miss the PESA member survey

10/08/2026 Posted by Helen

What does PESA mean to you? And what could we do better?

The Petroleum Exploration Society of Australia (PESA) is asking members to take a few minutes to complete our 2026 Member Survey.

Your feedback is important. It helps us understand what members value, where we are getting it right, and—most importantly—where we can improve. Whether it’s technical events, networking, professional development, industry engagement, publications or supporting the next generation of geoscientists, your views will help shape PESA’s priorities for the future.

It only takes a few minutes, but your input can make a real difference.

If you’re a PESA member, please take the survey today.

Santos announces successful sale and lifting of first Barossa condensate cargo

07/08/2026 Posted by Helen

Santos and PRISM Energy International Australia have jointly marketed, sold and loaded the first condensate cargo from the Barossa gas project, located approximately 285 km north of Darwin.

The cargo, comprising approximately 300,000 barrels of condensate, was loaded from the BW Opal FPSO (floating production, storage and offloading) vessel at Barossa on 24 July 2026 aboard the Aframax tanker Boccadesse for delivery to SK Incheon Petrochem in South Korea. The condensate will feed SK Incheon Petrochem’s refinery in Incheon, producing predominantly naphtha and jet fuel.

NZ Awards First Exploration Acreage since ban reversal

05/08/2026 Posted by Rachel

New Zealand has awarded its first new offshore petroleum exploration permit since the 2018 ban reversal, granting Australian company EnZed Energy a 12-year permit in the Taranaki Basin to explore the Kaheru prospect, located east of the Kupe gas field.

“This permit marks a major milestone for New Zealand’s energy sector and shows that without doubt, we are open for business,” says Resources Minister Shane Jones.

Gold Hydrogen Announce Flow Test Success at Ramsay 1

05/08/2026 Posted by Rachel

Gold Hydrogen Limited (ASX: GHY) has successfully completed appraisal flow testing at the Ramsay 1 exploration well in South Australia's Yorke Peninsula. This is the first time in 3 years that Helium has been produced within Australia, and comes at a time of global shortages. Whilst at an early stage, Gold Hydrogen are targeting commercial scale production within 18 months.

The Ramsay Project on Yorke Peninsula is an exploration project covering 75,000km2 in PEL687. In 2023, Gold Hydrogen undertook exploration drilling, targeting two areas where historical oil exploration had reported occurrences of natural hydrogen.

Redundancy, and how to make it an opportunity

04/08/2026 Posted by Janny

Redundancy is here to stay, and sooner or later it is likely that you find yourself in the situation where your position has become redundant.

It often comes as a shock, because, although often spoken about, nobody is ever really ready for the actual event, the one where YOU are the one being offered “a package”. Your mind is full; what do I do no? Is the package on offer fair? Do I need to seek legal advice. How am I going to pay my bills. And where will I go next?

It doesn't matter where you work, sooner or later you are likely to be on the receiving end of a redundancy round.