Australian energy firms increase their exploration

Australia is the No.2 liquefied natural gas producer in the world. This increase is due to domestic gas demand, a more favourable investment climate and improving technology. Australia, the world's No.

Geoscience Australia has provided a summary of drilling activity, including estimates of contingent resources as of October 20, 2025, except where otherwise noted.

BEETALOO SUB BASIN

The Beetaloo Sub-basin lies in the Northern Territory around 500 km (310 mi) south of Darwin.

The Northern Territory Government estimates that the gas reserves are over 7 trillion cubic foot (Tcf).

Santos plans to drill up to 12 appraisal wells within the sub-basin in this and the next year.

Beetaloo Energy will be able to send small quantities of gas from its Darwin gas plant, just as Tamboran Resources is able to do in September.

BEDOUT SUB BASIN

The Bedout Subbasin is located in the Roebuck Basin, off Western Australia.

According to estimates, the North Carnarvon/Roebuck Basins contain 37.7 Tcf gas and 296 millions barrels of crude oil.

Santos, Carnarvon Energy, and Taiwan's CPC are planning to drill three new wells in the Bedout Sub-basin at their long-delayed Dorado Project in 2027.

BONAPARTE BASIN

The Bonaparte Basin is located in the northern part of Australia. Its better-known areas are offshore, but it also extends into?the Northern Territory and Western Australia onshore.

It is estimated that the offshore Bonaparte/Browse region holds 44,48 Tcf gas and 60,000,000 barrels of crude oil.

Woodside Energy owns vast fields of land in the basin.

According to a recent application filed by the Petroleum Title Administrator, U.S. company?EOG was scheduled to drill oil prospect Beehive-1 off-shore this year. However, it recently applied for an extended work permit and could delay its work until 2027.

OTWAY BASIN

The Otway stretches from western Victoria to South Australia and off Tasmania. The most famous and well-drilled parts of the Otway are offshore where gas has been shipped to processing plants for decades.

According to estimates, the Otway Basin and Bass Basin adjacent contain 780 billion cubic foot of gas and seven million barrels oil.

In late 2025, the Australian government will offer its first round of offshore acreage in many years. Five parcels in Otway are up for bids.

ConocoPhillips drilled with 3D Energi two wells in late 2025 and this year, with one success. The environmental regulator has given permission for the company to drill several additional wells.

Amplitude is drilling one well this year, after an earlier exploration with OG Energy.

ADZ, a privately owned company, plans to drill a well in the area onshore.

GIPPSLAND BASIN

Gippsland Basin is one of Australia’s longest producing basins. It lies mainly in Bass Strait, off the southeast state of Victoria.

The remaining resource is estimated at around 2,96 Tcf gas and 73,000,000 barrels of crude oil.

Woodside Energy has announced that it will spend $200 million in 2025 on exploration for the Gippsland basin, where production is decreasing, to supply its domestic gas plant located nearby.

Exxon Mobil and Its partner agreed to transfer the operatorship of the Gippsland Basin Joint Venture from Exxon Mobil last year. Exxon did not find more gas despite an A$120 million ($83million) campaign.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA - ONSHORE

Perth Basin is located 400 km north-northwest of Perth, the capital city of Western Australia.

The estimated volume of the reservoir is 930 Bcf and 37 million barrels.

Hancock Energy is part of Hancock Prospecting, owned by Australia's wealthiest person, Gina Rinehart. They plan to drill five oil wells in the Perth Basin onshore and further north this year at a cost of A$200m.

Mineral Resources plans to drill four wells in Western Australia in the Perth Basin as well as further north in the Carnarvon Basin onshore, during the second half and first half 2027.

TAROOM TROUGH

The Taroom Trough is located in southwest Queensland, not far from existing coal seam gas projects.

The exploration in the area is still too early to estimate a total resource. Drill targets that are unconventional are located 3,000-4,000 metres (9842-13123 feet) below ground.

Elixir Energy has estimated the verified contingent resources for its Grandis Project at 3 Tcf.

Both Omega Oil and Gas and Elixir plan to drill additional wells this year and next.

Since late 2025, the state has issued multiple permits to potential explorers. This includes private U.S. firm Tri-Star. Helen Clark, Sonali Paul and Helen Clark (reporting)

(source: Reuters)