Cooper Energy (CH) Pty Ltd and Cooper Energy (MGP) Pty Ltd (Cooper Energy) are proposing to undertake an exploration drilling program within Commonwealth waters of the Otway Basin. Wells will be drilled in Cooper Energy’s existing licence areas approximately 25-40 km offshore from Peterborough in water depths ranging from 65 m to 74 m.
The exploration program consists of:
• Seabed surveys (no seismic)
• Well construction of 3 wells in Juliet, Elanora, and Nestor fields, within licences VIC/L24 and VIC/P76, including contingent sidetrack at one well (Elanora-1 ST1)
• Suspension of 3 wells (Juliet-1, Elanora-1 ST1 and Nestor-1) relevant only if the wells intersect gas resources sufficient for domestic supply
• Plug and abandonment (P&A) of one well (Elanora-1) and contingent P&A of the additional wells (Juliet-1, Elanora-1 ST1 and Nestor-1) relevant only if the wells do not intersect gas resources sufficient for domestic supply.
Planned activities will occur within an operational area defined by a temporary 3.5 km radius around each well site, and additional seabed survey areas between the well sites and existing infrastructure. The 3.5 km well buffers include the outer extent of mooring equipment from the well site, and a 500 m radius (0.8 km²) temporary exclusion zone around the mobile offshore drilling unit (MODU). A 500 m radius (0.8 km²) long-term petroleum safety zone may be established around the wells if the wells are suspended in a success case.
Operational areas are north of primary shipping routes with some Commonwealth and State fishery overlap, and adjacent to the Southern Ocean offshore wind zone. During exploration activities, the MODU, supply and other support vessels may be visible from the coastline, similar to other shipping traffic. All equipment installed during the campaign will be on the seabed and will not be visible above the sea.
Activities will be conducted on a 24 hour, 7 days per week basis within several offshore campaigns to commence no earlier than 1 January 2025 and be completed no later than 1 January 2030. Each drilling campaign is expected to take up to 60 days excluding environmental and operational delays.
