ConocoPhillips Australia (COPA), a subsidiary of ConocoPhillips, has revised its drilling schedule for a two-well gas exploration campaign in the Otway Basin, offshore Australia. The program will be executed with the Transocean Equinox rig, aiming to bolster domestic gas supplies.
Initial plans called for drilling to commence in September 2025, but operations will now begin mid-October 2025 at the Essington-1 well. Anchors and mooring chains are scheduled to be deployed in September at Essington-1 and between September–November at Charlemont-1, where the second well will be drilled later in the year. These mooring systems will remain in place during operations and retrieved within three months of completion.
Following Essington-1, the Transocean Equinox will move to Charlemont-1 between November and December 2025. The wells are part of the approved Otway Exploration Drilling Program (OEDP), covering two permits — VIC/P79 and T/49P — within Commonwealth waters near existing gas developments.
ConocoPhillips emphasized the campaign’s role in supporting Australia’s energy security: “We are exploring the Otway Basin for natural gas to supply the domestic market and support Australia’s current and future energy needs, ensuring reliable power generation, industrial processes, and residential heating.”
Located around 55 kilometers offshore from Port Campbell, the two wells form part of a consortium-backed effort to unlock new domestic gas resources. The project recently gained momentum with Korea National Oil Corporation (KNOC) joining as a partner.
