Beach Energy (Operations) Limited (Beach) proposes to drill a single exploration well (with the option to suspend and develop pending reservoir analysis) in Commonwealth waters of the Otway Basin approximately 32 km off Victoria’s south‐west coast. The proposed Artisan‐1 well location is at a water depth of approximately 71 m.

The operational area for the drilling program has been defined as a 2 km radius around the well location. The 2 km radius encompasses both the outer extent of mooring equipment on the seabed, and the 500 m petroleum safety zone.

The drilling activity was scheduled to commence in Q1 or Q2 2020 but has been delayed. The laying of anchors, mooring chains and surface buoys has occurred. Depending on contracting of a suitable MODU, drilling is anticipated to occur within the period from Q3 2020 to the end of 2021. The well is expected to take approximately 35 to 55 days to drill, depending on the final work program and potential operational delays.

The Artisan‐1 well maybe suspended for future production if commercial quantities of hydrocarbons are discovered. In this eventuality, the well will be suspended in accordance with the Well Operations Management Plan and the wellhead will be left in place to facilitate future operations. Any potential future production drilling of Artisan‐1 well will be addressed under a separate Environment Plan.
Drilling and support operations will be conducted on a 24‐hour basis for the duration of the program.