Amplitude partners approve Nestor gas exploration well in Australia's Otway Basin

Following the recent Julie gas discovery, partners have sanctioned the Nestor exploration well, which could add future production to the East Coast Supply Project offshore Victoria.
Oct. 19, 2026
2 min read
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Why this news matters:

  • Partners have approved a new exploration well that could add gas volumes to the East Coast Supply Project. 

  • Nestor could be commercialized by 2028 if drilling confirms a viable resource.

  • The campaign combines near-term development activity at Annie-2 with longer-term exploration upside in the Otway Basin.

 

Photo by Ola Moen; Courtesy MarineTraffic.com
Transocean Equinox semisubmersible drilling rig

Amplitude Energy plans to use the Transocean Equinox rig for the newly approved Nestor exploration well, following recent drilling activity at the Annie-2 development well offshore Victoria.

Project at a glance

  • Operator: Amplitude Energy

  • Region: Offshore Victoria, Australia

  • Basin: Otway Basin

  • Development well: Annie-2

  • Exploration well: Nestor

  • Rig: Transocean Equinox

  • Potential commercialization: 2028 (if successful)

The Transocean Equinox semisubmersible rig has spudded the Annie-2 development well for operator Amplitude Energy in the VIC/L379 permit offshore Victoria, according to the company’s latest quarterly report.

The location is about 10 km north of the planned tie-in point to the established CHN pipeline

Annie was discovered in 2019, with the well encountering a 70-m thick gas-bearing Waarre C reservoir. Annie-2 will likely be drilled to a total depth of about 2,230 m; it will then be cased and completed with a subsea tree, and suspended ready for development as part of Amplitude’s East Coast Supply Project (ECSP).

The company expects operations on the well to conclude by mid-November.

Following the offshore gas discovery in the Juliet prospect last month, the partners have sanctioned drilling of the Nestor prospect, which will directly follow Annie-2.

Why Nestor matters

  • Located near existing Otway Basin infrastructure.

  • Could provide additional gas supply for the East Coast Supply Project.

  • Existing infrastructure may support a faster, lower-cost development pathway if a commercial discovery is made.

Nestor, which is close to the partners’ Otway Basin infrastructure, could increase production from the ECSP, enabling the project to maximize production during periods of high demand and pricing.

If the well is successful, it could be commercialized by CY 2028.

Courtesy Amplitude Energy's "FY26 full year results" presentation
Map of Amplitude Energy's Annie, Juliet and Nestor prospects

The Annie, Juliet and Nestor fields are located near existing offshore infrastructure in the Otway Basin, supporting potential future gas development and tie-back opportunities.

In its quarterly update, Amplitude added that work continues to progress the re-start of production from the offshore Patricia Baleen field in the VIC/RL16 permit, via its existing wells and pipeline connection to the Orbost Gas Plant. 

FEED work is underway, with FID targeted during early CY 2027. Amplitude expects to shortly receive a production license for the field and will then apply for a Combination Certificate for Patricia Baleen with the Sole Field.

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About the Author

Jeremy Beckman
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Jeremy Beckman

Staff Writer / Editor, Europe

Jeremy Beckman has been Editor Europe, Offshore since 1992. Prior to joining Offshore he was a freelance journalist for eight years, working for a variety of electronics, computing and scientific journals in the UK. He regularly writes news columns on trends and events both in the NW Europe offshore region and globally. He also writes features on developments and technology in exploration and production.

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