Santos has submitted an Environment Plan to Australia's regulator, NOPSEMA, for a major exploration and appraisal campaign in the Bedout basin offshore Western Australia, which it views as a prospective area for significant liquids-rich gas development.

Drilling Programme Details

The plan involves drilling up to seven exploration and/or appraisal wells across four Operational Areas between Q3 2025 and Q3 2031, using a moored semi-submersible or jack-up rig. Each well is estimated to take 40 to 110 days to drill, with depths between 3000 and 6000 metres. The campaign includes drilling, evaluation, well testing, and permanent abandonment activities, as well as pre-drilling seabed surveys.

Target Prospects and Locations

The exploration targets are the Curie, Ara, Wallace, and Mestrel/Bancroft prospects within permits WA-541-P, WA-435-P, and WA-436-P. Water depths range from 80 to 265 metres. The Mestrel/Bancroft area is the closest to the mainland, approximately 123 kilometres north of Port Hedland and near the Dorado discovery. Exact drilling locations are pending further studies.

Campaign Phasing and Appraisal

The drilling may occur over two or three campaigns, potentially using different rigs for different water depths. Success in initial exploration wells will determine the scope of subsequent drilling. If a discovery is made, up to four appraisal wells could be drilled 6 to 18 months later to evaluate the resource.

Seismic Survey

In addition to drilling, a 3D marine seismic survey named Keraudren Phase 3 is planned for approximately 2028. It will be located in permits WA-437-P and WA-438-P, building on previous surveys conducted in 2021 and 2022. This survey aims to identify further gas and liquids potential.