Development plan focuses on existing infrastructure

Moving forward, the focus will be on the lowest-cost option for restarting production from existing Patricia- Baleen wells, adding incremental production through the onshore Orbost Gas Plant pipeline, and preserving Longtom as a backfill option.

Entry into the FEED phase should follow later in the year.

Amplitude has applied to Australia’s National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator (NOPTA) for a production license for the Patricia-Baleen Field via a conversion of the existing retention license. Once this has been granted, the company intends to apply for a Combination Certificate with the offshore Sole Field.

Patricia-Baleen tied to broader East Coast supply strategy

Elsewhere in the region, the Transocean Equinox semisubmersible rig is preparing to drill the Juliet exploration well in the offshore Otway Basin, followed by the Juliet development well.

Amplitude and O.G.Energy have also ordered all long-lead equipment items needed to potentially drill the Nestor prospect.

All this activity is pursuing further gas volumes for Amplitude’s East Coast Supply Project, for which the FEED for the subsea development phase has concluded.

FID should follow early in 2027, with first gas targeted for 2028.

Earlier, the Transocean Equinox drilled a dual exploration well on the Elanora and Isabella prospects for the same project. While the Elanora Waarre A reservoir target was water-bearing, a subsequent sidetrack into the Isabella Field encountered gas-bearing sands in the Waarre C reservoir target.

However, pressure readings following a flow test of the Isabella reservoir did not support a commercial development, Amplitude said, so the well was plugged and abandoned.