Exploration update and safe operations guide
3 July 2025
Project Update - July 2025
ConocoPhillips Australia is progressing its plans to explore for natural gas in the Otway basin to supply the domestic market.
The Transocean Equinox rig is scheduled to start work for ConocoPhillips Australia in September 2025 (weather and operational conditions permitting). The rig will drill two wells in the Otway Basin before the end of the year as part of our approved Otway Exploration Drilling Program.
The first well to be drilled is called Essington-1 (see map below). This well is approximately 55km offshore from Port Campbell.
Anchors and mooring chains will be deployed by a vessel at Essington-1 in August 2025 and at Charlemont-1 between August and November 2025. Once in position these will be marked with a surface buoy and navigation light.
Timeframes are dependent on weather and operational conditions.
An Exploration Drilling update and Safe Operations Guide has been developed to assist marine users during anchor and mooring chain deployment and while the anchors and chains remain in place, and can be found here on our consultation hub.
For safety reasons, 500-metre Petroleum Safety Zones remain in place around the three potential well locations from 1 July 2025 until 1 March 2026, in accordance with the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006.
Commercial Marine Users
Please refer to the Australian Hydrographic Office for the official Notice to Mariners, which contains further information.
If you are a commercial marine user who has been affected by the Otway Exploration Drilling Program anchor and mooring chain deployment (once the activity is underway or while the anchors and chains are in place), you may be eligible for compensation for displacement, loss of catch, or fishing gear loss or damage. Visit www.omicc.com.au for more information.
Relevant Persons notification
ConocoPhillips Australia will notify Relevant Persons, including marine users, upon the completion of anchor and mooring chain deployment.
The Environment Plan for the Otway Exploration Drilling Program was accepted by NOPSEMA in February 2025. Exploration activities will be undertaken in accordance with the accepted Environment Plan.
*Program timing is dependent on prior titleholder operations and sequencing of wells, minor adjustments to the well locations may occur.
