Australian Oil Co. Ltd. (AOK) has reached an operational milestone, announcing the first crude oil lifting from its Emu Apple oil field in Queensland’s Surat Basin.
The oil lifting marks a key transition for the junior explorer as it firms up its production footprint in the region. Approximately 800 barrels of crude oil are slated for transport by IOR Energy Pty Ltd under a one-year sales and lifting agreement signed earlier this month.
The oil will be transported for refining into various essential products, including diesel. While the 800-barrel volume is higher than initially anticipated, the company noted this reflects an extended interval between regular liftings at the Emu Apple site (PL 264).
AOK Managing Director Kane Marshall said: “The first lifting of oil from Emu Apple represents an initial production milestone for the company within the Surat Basin.
“The lifting is undertaken under the existing production and sales arrangements and provides a reference point for current production levels.
“In parallel, the company is compiling development opportunities at Emu Apple and undertaking technical evaluation across PL 30 as part of its 2026 work program.”
Beyond immediate production, AOK has completed a preliminary geochemical and seismic review of its nearby PL 30 permit (Riverslea and Yapunyah). The technical team has identified several iodine anomalies that often act as tracers for buried hydrocarbon reservoirs.
Of particular interest is an anomaly flanking the west of Riverslea, which coincides with seismic amplitude features in the Boxvale sandstone, the main producing level in the area.
The company is also investigating the Annabelle high, a higher-risk but potentially high-reward stratigraphic trap that has never been drilled.
There are also potentially other large seismic amplitude anomalies at the Boxvale sandstone level further south of the basement high.
As part of its 2026 strategy, the company is working up a full inventory of exploration drill targets and development opportunities to boost near-term production.
The company also confirmed it is actively assessing new venture opportunities both near its current operations and in other jurisdictions.
