Latest News

Commonwealth Government opens offshore exploration nominations for Gippsland and Bass basins

12/05/2026 Posted by Sarah.Harris

The Australian Government is seeking industry nominations for areas that may be included in a future offshore petroleum exploration acreage release across the Gippsland and Bass basins. The nomination round is open until 19 June 2026.

The proposed release forms part of the Federal Government’s Future Gas Strategy and is intended to support future domestic gas supply by encouraging exploration in proven producing basins with existing infrastructure. With production from several mature east coast gas fields continuing to decline, the acreage release is expected to generate strong industry interest.

The Gippsland Basin is one of Australia’s most significant offshore petroleum provinces and was home to Australia's first commercial offshore petroleum discovery at Barracouta-1 in 1965.

Woodside Announce Bandit-1 Discovery

12/05/2026 Posted by Rachel

Woodside Energy announced on April 10th success at their Bandit 1 exploration well.

Woodside announces a non-operated oil discovery at the Bandit prospect in the Gulf of America, approximately 125 miles south of the Louisiana coast. The Bandit-1 exploration well, drilled in Green Canyon Block 680 and operated by Occidental, encountered high-quality oil-bearing Miocene sands, with results now under joint review by the well participants.

Bandit is operated by Occidental with a 45.375% working interest, alongside Chevron U.S.A. Inc. (37.125%)and Woodside Energy (17.5%).

The co-owners are currently evaluating results to determine next steps.

PESA WA ALICE SPRINGS FIELD TRIP AND CORE VIEWING – REGISTER NOW

12/05/2026 Posted by Rachel

Friday 4 September to Monday 7 September 2026

PESA WA is hosting a field trip to Alice Springs in September 2026. This is a fantasticopportunity to explore the region, engage directly with field activities, and deepen yourunderstanding of the area’s geological context.

Starting in Alice Springs, the field trip includes three nights of 4-star accommodation,with breakfast and lunch provided, along with transport to and from the field. Expertguidance and commentary will be provided by Peter Haines with contributions fromFiona Burns and Simon Lang.

PESA 2025 MSA Awards – Cristy Little and Vincent Crombez

11/05/2026 Posted by Janny

The PESA Meritorious Service Award (MSA) recognizes individuals who voluntarily provide exceptional service to PESA at State or Federal level over a significant period of time. No more than three MSAs are made in a single year, and an individual can only receive the award once.

We are happy to announce that Cristy Little and Vincent Crombez have been nominated successfully by the WA Branch for the MSA award for their contributions to PESA.

Cristy was nominated for her role as Sponsorship Manager for the WA Branch Committee. She has been instrumental in securing significant sponsorship from the WA industry.

PESA 2025 DSA Award – Dr John Conolly

11/05/2026 Posted by Janny

The PESA Distinguished Service Award (DSA) recognises outstanding long-term commitment to the Society, including leadership and involvement in Committees, the profession and to the resources industry. It is the highest honour bestowed on an individual member by the Society and only one DSA award is given in any year. A recipient of the DSA becomes a Distinguished Member of the society.

We are delighted to announce that John Conolly was nominated successfully for the DSA award by the PESA NSW & ACT Branch for his outstanding contributions to PESA and the industry.

Over a period spanning more than 50 years, John has made a profound impact on the industry in roles covering academia, industry leadership and independent consulting.

PESA 2026 Membership Awards

11/05/2026 Posted by Janny

PESA is more than a group of people who like to meet up over lunch and talk about the old days. We continue to promote professional and technical aspects of the energy geoscience industry throughout Australia by providing a medium for gathering interested individuals.

We also aim to present views and discuss technical and professional matters relating to the energy geoscience industry, foster and provide continuing education for the benefit of our members, and to encourage and maintain a high standard of professional conduct on the part of our members.

Since Covid we have at our AGM, or afterwards at our various State Branch meetings, celebrated those members who have clocked up 10, 20, 30 and 40 years of continuous membership (*).

New Exploration areas opening in NSW

11/05/2026 Posted by Rachel

The Minns Labor Government will open new areas for gas exploration in NSW for the first time in more than a decade, taking decisive steps to secure the State’s energy supply for households and businesses.

Two regions in the state's Far West – the Bancannia and Pondie Range Troughs – will be opened for gas exploration. These opportunities for new gas supply will complement the Narrabri Gas Project.

To attract investment and ensure NSW remains competitive with other states, the Government will also update regulations to reduce the gas exploration licence application fee from $50,000 to $1,000.

Not all exploration licences proceed to gas production.

Tamboran Resources Announce Results of Shenandoah South 6H

11/05/2026 Posted by Rachel

The Shenandoah South 6H (SS‐6H) well delivered a record average 20‐day initial production (IP20)flow rate of 10.3 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) from an 8,635‐foot (2,632‐metre) horizontalsection within the Mid Velkerri B Shale.

On a normalized basis, SS‐6H achieved a flow rate of 11.9 MMcf/d per 10,000 feet, which comparesfavorably to the average performance of more than 11,000 producing wells in the Marcellus Shaledry gas fairway with over 12 months of production history.

The flow test has now been concluded, with the well delivering a stable rate of8.8 MMcf/d (normalized to 10.

PESA Deal Day – Full Lineup Announced

11/05/2026 Posted by Rachel

PESA are excited to announce a full lineup for the upcoming Deal Day on Monday 18th May in Adelaide. Covering a full range of opportunities from conventional to geothermal, Australian to International it is sure to be a great day for investment. For more information about the day, or to register please visit the event page.

Presentation Line up

Prominence Energy

Prominence Energy’s Gawler Craton portfolio positions the Company at the forefront of emerging natural hydrogen and helium exploration, spanning the highly prospective Eyre Peninsula and Northern Hinge Areas.

International Geological Congress 2028

11/05/2026 Posted by Rachel

The International Geological Congress (IGC) 2028 marks the 38th outing for this quadrennial event. Since its establishment in 1878, the IGC has served as a unique platform for international collaboration, networking, scientific exchange, and strategic dialogue within the geosciences. Recognised as the premier global forum for advancing Earth sciences, each Congress, convened under the auspices of the IUGS, offers an essential platform for deliberating urgent global geological issues and shaping the future of the geosciences. It is one of the world's largest gatherings of geoscience professionals, with this event expecting an estimated 10,000 delegates from across the global geoscience community.

The...