ConocoPhillips and its partners have identified gas-bearing zones at the Essington-1 exploration well, located in the Otway Basin within the VIC/P79 exploration permit offshore Victoria, Australia.
The drilling at the well started on 1 November 2025 using the Transocean Equinox rig and was part of the Otway exploration drilling programme.
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The exploration well reached its planned total depth of 2,735m measured depth rotary table (MDRT) without incident.
Wireline logging indicated the presence of gas in both the primary Waarre A and secondary Waarre C sandstones.
The Waarre A reservoir shows a gross gas-bearing interval of 62.6m, with 58.5m of net pay, and the Waarre C reservoir presents a 33.2m gross gas-bearing interval, with 31.5m of net pay.
Gas peaks were found at depths of 2,265m and 2,515m MDRT at the Waarre C and Waarre A reservoirs, respectively.
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By GlobalDataThe elevated gas readings align with increased resistivity detected by logging while drilling tools.
Petrophysical evaluation of the wireline data has been completed, supported by formation pressure measurements. A clear gas gradient in pressure data provides additional evidence of moveable gas.
A comprehensive formation evaluation programme has been launched, with wireline logs acquired across the 8½in hole section of the well.
To further assess the findings, wireline formation testing will be conducted using Schlumberger’s Ora platform, involving controlled drawdowns and buildups in up to two zones within the Waarre A reservoir.
This testing is expected to confirm reservoir mobility and connectivity, perform downhole fluid analysis to determine hydrocarbon phase and composition, and recover representative hydrocarbon samples for laboratory analysis.
Data from these tests will be used to evaluate the recoverability and commercial potential of the hydrocarbons identified in the Essington-1 well.
ConocoPhillips Australia, the operator of the project, holds a 51% stake, alongside Korea National Oil Company (29%) and 3D Energi (20%).
3D Energi executive chairman Noel Newell said: “The early results from Essington-1 are very encouraging, with clear indications of gas-bearing sandstones in both the primary and secondary targets.
“While we remain appropriately cautious until formation testing is complete, these results are consistent with the comprehensive pre-drill technical evaluation undertaken by 3D Energi.
“We look forward to the upcoming Ora programme to confirm gas composition and reservoir deliverability.”
