Australian operator Amplitude Energy has commenced an exploration well, Elanora-1, in the offshore Otway basin as part of its East Coast Supply Project (ECSP). The well was spudded on 25 January by the Transocean Equinox rig in permit VIC/L24.

Well Objectives and Resource Target

The Elanora-1 well is targeting approximately 161 billion cubic feet of gross mean prospective gas resources within the Waarre A reservoir. The drilling plan aims for a maximum depth of around 2000 metres, a process anticipated to take 20 to 30 days, followed by a further 4 to 7 days for evaluation.

Project Overview and Development Plan

The ECSP is a 50:50 joint venture between Amplitude Energy and OG Energy. It involves the phased development of at least eight satellite gas discoveries in the Otway basin to supply the domestic east coast gas market. The project aims to deliver up to 90 terajoules per day (85 million cubic feet per day) via the onshore Athena Gas Plant in Victoria from 2028. Amplitude describes Elanora as its largest ECSP prospect with a high geological chance of success.

Subsequent Drilling and Evaluation

After completing Elanora-1, the rig will drill a sidetrack into the adjacent Isabella prospect over 14 to 18 days. A discovery there would lead to immediate reservoir evaluation. Upon success, the Isabella prospect would be cased, completed with a subsea tree, flow-tested, and suspended for future development as part of the ECSP.

Project Timeline and Additional Activities

The operator aims for a Final Investment Decision (FID) on the ECSP in the first quarter of 2026, with front-end engineering and design nearing completion. Further drilling of the Juliet and Nestor prospects is planned. Separately, the company has received regulatory approval for its Annie-2 development drilling environment plan, with that campaign potentially starting in April and lasting up to 60 days. The ECSP expansion is estimated to target over 360 Bcf of gross unrisked prospective resource.