exploration

Northern Territory Acreage Release

Posted by

The Northern Territory of Australia have announced a petroleum exploration acreage release covering approximately 4000km2 with submissions due by Friday 31st July 2026.

The area, EPNT26-1, includes 46 full and 4-part blocks within the defined boundaries of the Beetaloo Sub-basin, within the greater McArthur Basin. The Northern Territory Geological Survey assesses the area as highly prospective for petroleum, with the Beetaloo Sub-basin representing one of Australia’s most significant onshore gas provinces.

READ MORE

PESA Exploration Activities Summary February 2026

Posted by

An offshore exploration drilling program by ConocoPhillips / 3D Energi & Korea National Oil Corporation (VIC/P79) using the Transocean Equinox rig that began late 2025 has carried into early 2026.

Essington-1 (Nov 2025) discovered 58.5m of gas-condensate net pay in the Waarre A and 31.5m in the Waarre C. 

Charlemont-1 was spudded on 10 December 2025. Gas shows were intersected in the Waarre A and Waarre C sands. 

The Transocean Equinox rig was then utilised by Amplitude Energy to Drill Elanora-1 (Offshore Otway Basin, VIC/L24). No gas was present in the primary target interval (Waarre A reservoir). 

A subsequent sidetrack tested the nearby Isabella prospect and encountered a gross 10.7m of gas bearing Waarre C.

READ MORE

Prominence Energy Announce Next Steps in Hydrogen Exploration

Posted by

Prominence Energy Ltd announced in February that preparatory work gas commenced for the Company’s first geochemical survey within Petroleum Exploration Licence 803 (PEL 803) in South Australia.

PEL 803 forms part of the Eyre Project, which Prominence Energy acquired 100% interest in during 2025. The project area covers more than 29,000km2 and includes PEL803 and PELAs 749-751. The Eyre Project sits on the cratonic Gawler Craton Archean Crust, considered prospective for natural hydrogen, helium and other associated gases.

READ MORE

Exploration Success in the Otway Basin

Posted by

November saw the announcement from ConocoPhillips Australia and their JV partners, 3D Energi and Korea National Oil Corporation, the results of their recent drilling campaign in the Otway Basin. Read on below for their issued press release. 

November 17th 2025:

ConocoPhillips Australia today announced a natural gas discovery in the Otway Basin (VIC/P79). Initial results from the Essington-1 well have detected the presence of natural gas in the two target reservoirs, Waarre A and Waarre C. 

Preliminary estimates from logs and wireline results place the primary Waarre A target reservoir as a 62.6-metre gross hydrocarbon column.

READ MORE