ConocoPhillips Australia confirms a natural gas discovery in the Otway Basin (VIC/P79) after early assessments from the Essington-1 exploration well identified hydrocarbon intervals in both target reservoirs, Waarre A and Waarre C.
Initial log and wireline analysis indicates a 62.6-m gross hydrocarbon column in the Waarre A reservoir and an additional 33.2-m gross hydrocarbon column in Waarre C. The discovery site lies about 53 km offshore Port Campbell in Victoria and 12 km from existing gas production wells.
According to Jan-Arne Johansen, President of ConocoPhillips Australia, Essington-1 marks the first discovery in the Otway since 2021. Johansen notes that the company plans to continue drilling a second exploration well in December.
Further technical work will be conducted to determine flow rates, potential resource recovery and the commercial feasibility of any future development plans. Once current operations are complete, Essington-1 will be plugged and abandoned in line with the approved Environment Plan.
Johansen stated that natural gas remains important for providing reliable and affordable energy for households, businesses and industry as Australia moves toward net zero.
ConocoPhillips Australia operates the Otway Exploration Drilling Program with a 51% interest, alongside Korea National Oil Corporation (29%) and 3D Energi (20%). Operations at Essington-1 are expected to finish by the end of November 2025, and the Charlemont-1 well in VIC/P79 is planned to begin in December, subject to weather and operational conditions. Additional wells may be considered under the accepted Environmental Plan.
