Beach Energy, Bridgeport Energy Get Offshore Exploration Blocks in Victoria, Australia

Monday, July 13, 2020

Beach Energy and Bridgeport Energy have been awarded permits to explore for gas in Victoria, Australia, state waters near Portland and Port Campbell.

"As Victorians turn up their gas heaters during the winter chill, the search for new gas off the state’s south west coast will be stepping up with the awarding of two new gas exploration permits," Ministry for Resources said Monday.

If initial exploration is successful, up to $85 million could flow into the economy, contributing to further investment in the region and new local jobs. The benefits will be magnified if the new exploration leads to additional gas supply, the statement reads.

"Exploration involves geological studies to search for offshore gas deposits, including a range of desktop and field activities which are subject to strict environmental controls. These offshore gas resources can be accessed from onshore without any disturbance of the marine environment," the ministry's said in a statement.

Beach Energy and Bridgeport Energy are also required to work closely with the commercial fishing industry, local communities, and government bodies along the south-west coast as they conduct their exploration programs.

"The new permits are on the doorstep of an existing offshore gas industry including Beach Energy’s existing Halladale-Speculant facility and their highly promising Enterprise exploration project. The area also hosts Lochard Energy’s Iona Gas Plant, which is integral to ensure consistent and reliable supply during the colder months," the ministry said.

The ministry said that the new exploration permits are further good news for local jobs and investment in the south-west following the recent confirmation of the restart of the onshore conventional gas industry in 2021.

The Victorian Gas Program has recently identified potentially significant onshore conventional gas resources particularly in the Otway Basin. Onshore unconventional gas including fracking is permanently banned in Victoria.

The plan is for any new gas found to prioritized for domestic use, boosting the state’s energy supply and security.

Minister for Resources Jaclyn Symes said:"We’re encouraging safe and sensible gas exploration that brings jobs and investment to our regions as well as additional supply for homes and businesses to keep the lights on and their houses warm. This industry interest backs the extensive geoscience of the Victorian Gas Program, showing there’s a good chance of boosting local gas supply while maintaining protection of our precious natural environment.”

Categories: Exploration Australia/NZ

Related Stories

Sapura Scoops Over $118M for Chevron, PTTEP Subsea Ops off Thailand

China Starts Production at Major Oil Field in Bohai Sea

CNOOC Finds Oil and Gas in South China Sea

Baker Hughes, Petronas Team Up for Asia-Pacific Energy Resilience

Valeura Makes Progress with Multi-Well Drilling Campaign in Gulf of Thailand

Yinson Production Secures $1.17B Refinancing for FPSO Maria Quitéria

Petrovietnam, Partners Sign PSC for Block Off Vietnam

Japan Protests China’s New Oil and Gas Construction Activities in East China Sea

Scarborough FPU's Topsides and Hull Come Together in Major Engineering Feat (Video)

Woodside to Shed Some Trinidad and Tobago Assets for $206M

Current News

PTTEP Acquires Southeast Asia’s Offshore Block from Chevron’s Hess Unit for $450M

Valeura Energy, PTTEP Partner Up on Gulf of Thailand Blocks

Sapura Scoops Over $118M for Chevron, PTTEP Subsea Ops off Thailand

Pandion Energy Divests Interests in Three Norwegian Assets to Inpex

China Starts Production at Major Oil Field in Bohai Sea

Dutch Contractor Completes Malaysia’s Largest 'Rig-to-Reef' Decom Project

China Rolls Out 17MW Floating Wind Turbine Prototype

SBM Offshore’s Jaguar FPSO Enters Drydock in Singapore (Video)

EnQuest Picks Up Offshore Oil and Gas Block in Brunei

CNOOC Finds Oil and Gas in South China Sea

Subscribe for AOG Digital E‑News

AOG Digital E-News is the subsea industry's largest circulation and most authoritative ENews Service, delivered to your Email three times per week

https://accounts.newwavemedia.com