COP's Australian Drilling Campaign Yields Unexpected Gas Encounter

Group 1 - ConocoPhillips' Australian subsidiary has discovered unexpected gas while drilling the Charlemont-1 exploration well in the Otway Basin, offshore Victoria [1][10] - The Charlemont-1 well encountered significant gas presence in the Waarre C reservoir formation, approximately 160 meters above the target formation, Waarre A [2][10] - Drilling operations were paused on December 25 due to high-pressure conditions at 2,552 meters, indicating potential safety and operational risks [3][10] Group 2 - The Essington-1 well, drilled earlier in the same permit, confirmed the presence of hydrocarbons in both Waarre A and C reservoir formations, marking the first natural gas discovery in the Otway Basin since 2021 [4][10] - ConocoPhillips holds a 51% interest in the VIC/P79 permit, with partners 3D Energi and the Korea National Oil Company holding 20% and 29% stakes, respectively [5]