ConocoPhillips starts exploration in Australia’s Otway Basin

ConocoPhillips, in collaboration with partner 3D Energi, has commenced drilling at the Essington-1 gas exploration well in the Otway Basin, Victoria, Australia. This drilling, part of the Otway exploration drilling programme (OEDP), aims to explore natural gas reserves for the East Coast market. The Transocean Equinox rig began operations on 1 November 2025 within the VIC/P79 exploration permit, located 55km offshore from Port Campbell. Essington-1 is targeting a combined 262 billion cubic feet (bcf) of ...