ConocoPhillips and its partners have confirmed the presence of gas-bearing zones at the Essington‑1 exploration well, located in the Otway Basin within the VIC/P79 exploration permit offshore Victoria, Australia.
Drilling at the Essington‑1 well began on 1 November 2025 using the Transocean Equinox rig as part of the broader Otway exploration drilling program.
The well successfully reached its planned total depth of 2,735 metres measured depth rotary table (MDRT) without incident, marking a key operational milestone for the consortium.
Preliminary analysis has indicated two significant gas-bearing zones within the Waarre formations.
The Waarre A reservoir revealed a gross gas-bearing interval of 62.6 metres, with 58.5 metres of net pay. Meanwhile, the Waarre C reservoir showed a 33.2‑metre gross gas-bearing interval, including 31.5 metres of net pay.
Gas peaks were recorded at depths of 2,265 metres and 2,515 metres MDRT at the Waarre C and Waarre A reservoirs, respectively.
According to ConocoPhillips, elevated gas readings corresponded with increased resistivity detected by logging‑while‑drilling tools, indicating robust hydrocarbon potential.
Petrophysical evaluation of the wireline data has been completed, supported by formation pressure measurements.
The company reported that a clear gas gradient from the pressure data provides further evidence of movable gas within the identified zones.
A detailed formation evaluation program has commenced, including acquisition of wireline logs across the 8½‑inch hole section of the well.
To better understand reservoir performance, wireline formation testing will be undertaken using Schlumberger’s Ora platform.
The program will involve controlled drawdowns and buildups in up to two zones within the Waarre A reservoir.
This next phase of testing aims to verify reservoir mobility and connectivity, perform downhole fluid analysis to determine hydrocarbon phase and composition, and recover representative hydrocarbon samples for laboratory assessment.
The resulting data will help determine the recoverability and commercial potential of the hydrocarbons discovered at the Essington‑1 location.
ConocoPhillips Australia operates the project and holds a 51 per cent working interest in the VIC/P79 permit.
Its partners include Korea National Oil Company (KNOC) with a 29 per cent interest and 3D Energi with 20 per cent.
Commenting on the results, 3D Energi executive chairman Noel Newell said: “The early results from Essington‑1 are very encouraging, with clear indications of gas-bearing sandstones in both the primary and secondary targets.
“While we remain appropriately cautious until formation testing is complete, these results are consistent with the comprehensive pre-drill technical evaluation undertaken by 3D Energi.
“We look forward to the upcoming Ora programme to confirm gas composition and reservoir deliverability.”
The Essington‑1 well forms part of an exploration campaign aimed at identifying commercially viable natural gas resources to support domestic energy markets in southeastern Australia.
