Recent events in Australia’s decommissioning space demonstrate the complexity of offshore decommissioning campaigns from the environmental and work, health and safety perspectives.
Lessons learned from these experiences will assist the industry to prepare itself to meet the large influx of decommissioning work ahead, according to a new insight paper from law experts at Pinsent Masons, co-authored by Cormac Mercer and Laura Slocombe, which continues below:
Last week, the Wilderness Society commenced proceedings against the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) in the Federal Court seeking judicial review over its approval of an environmental plan (EP) from Santos WA Northwest Pty Ltd (Santos) for its Reindeer wellhead platform to be “left in a preserved state for future phases”. This is despite Santos’ Reindeer field having ceased production this year.
Offshore activities, including decommissioning, must be approved by NOPSEMA. The approval process involves lodging certain documents, including an EP, along with an operation management plan and a safety case. The EP is generally the most significant, and potentially problematic, of these.
The Wilderness Society has publicly claimed that, by approving Santos’ EP, NOPSEMA did not enforce Santos’ duty under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 (Cth) (OPGGS Act) as titleholder of the Reindeer facilities to maintain financial assurance, in particular in relation to decommissioning the infrastructure and remediating damage to the surrounding environment.
Section 571(2) of the OPGGS Act requires a titleholder to maintain financial assurance sufficient to give the titleholder the capacity to meet costs, expenses and liabilities arising in connection with, or as a result of:
the carrying out of the petroleum activity;
the doing of any other thing for the purposes of the petroleum activity; or
complying, or failing to comply, with a requirement under the OPGGS Act in relation to the petroleum activity.
The duty imposed by section 571(2) of the OPGGS Act extends to covering any costs, expenses or liabilities arising in connection with, or because of, compliance with a titleholder’s duty under section 572C of the OPGGS Act, which relates to the escape of petroleum.
If NOPSEMA’s decision to approve Santos’ EP is ultimately quashed by the Federal Court, it could result in NOPSEMA assessing EPs in the future on the basis of demonstrated financial capacity to undertake decommissioning. The Wilderness Society matter is now before the Federal Court.
This litigation contributes to the recent rise in legal challenges to NOPSEMA’s EP approvals. Whether this leads to a more conservative approach to decommissioning activities by titleholders and NOPSEMA, potentially disincentivising developers from exploring innovative decommissioning solutions with positive environmental outcomes, remains to be seen.
Environmental approvals for major offshore decommissioning projects will continue to be under increased scrutiny, adding to the complexity of offshore decommissioning campaigns. Businesses operating in the offshore space should ensure that EPs and assessments, including consultation, are undertaken in a comprehensive manner with a close eye on recent legal and scientific developments.
Work, health and safety
In general, offshore decommissioning is an inherently hazardous process that exposes workers to a variety of physical and psychosocial risks.
Infrastructure requiring decommissioning is often located in harsh and unpredictable marine environments which are geographically isolated. Remote work has become a well-known psychosocial hazard in many industries but is particularly acute in the renewable energy industry, due to minimal access to resources and support, often for prolonged periods of time.
In addition, other obvious physical hazards include the handling of hazardous chemicals and contaminants; manual handling challenges in bringing infrastructure to shore; fires and explosions; and interactions with people and mobile plant, including sea vessels.
NOPSEMA is paying close attention to offshore decommissioning works in Australian waters and is cracking down on operators who are failing to mitigate risks.
Recently, NOPSEMA issued three general directions to Woodside for its Stybarrow and Griffin fields off the Western Australian coast and Minerva field offshore of Victoria.
Each direction requires Woodside to undertake and document a risk assessment to identify and evaluate all risks to health, safety and the environment associated with Woodside’s removal activities. This includes a requirement that “control measures” are in place to reduce risks to as low as reasonably practicable. NOPSEMA’s intervention comes off the back of an oil spill incident at Woodside’s Griffin field. In addition to potential environmental damage, there were concerns that workers were exposed to hydrogen sulphide, an extremely toxic gas, due to the spill.NOPSEMA has powers to enforce WHS compliance on offshore projects that reflect the powers of state, territory and Commonwealth regulators under the model harmonised work health and safety laws. For example, inspectors can:
enter offshore facilities to conduct inspections and interviews;
issue provisional improvement notices, prohibition notices and infringement notices; and
take possession of plant and samples.
NOPSEMA can also commence criminal and civil prosecutions, seek injunctions - stopping someone doing a certain action or activity - and apply for adverse publicity orders against corporate entities, with reputational impacts.
Operators of decommissioning projects in Australian offshore environments are reminded that they must take all reasonably practicable steps to protect the health and safety of workers at the facility and of any other persons who may be affected by their activities. This is a legislative obligation prescribed by the OPGGS Act, largely mirroring the primary duty under the harmonised work health and safety framework that requires a person conducting a business or undertaking to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers and others.
If risks cannot be fully eliminated, which is usually the case in high-risk workplaces such as offshore decommissioning facilities, operators should not wave the white flag and sit still. They have a duty to ensure that all risks are minimised, so far as is reasonably practicable, particularly those which are known, obvious and foreseeable.
Halliburton has announced the launch of SK Well Pages, a new addition to its Summit Knowledge (SK) digital ecosystem, aimed at transforming how electric submersible pump (ESP) operations are managed.
This integrated platform enhances decision-making and production optimisation through the use of AI, machine learning, and advanced data analytics.
Part of Halliburton’s wider strategy to digitise oilfield operations, SK Well Pages provides a unified workspace tailored for ESP and HPS (horizontal pump systems) operations. It consolidates engineering, manufacturing, and real-time operational data to offer a complete, up-to-date view of performance. The platform also introduces automated workflows, improving both quality control and operational efficiency.
Designed with usability in mind, SK Well Pages includes customisable dashboards that offer clear visualisations of pump performance, surface sensors, and production trends. This enables proactive real-time monitoring and supports faster, more informed decision-making.
The platform is fully integrated with Halliburton’s advanced digital tools, including SpyGlass, for accurate pump sizing, and the Intelevate platform, which provides remote monitoring and control. Intelligent alerts, predictive models, and trend analysis help reduce downtime and extend equipment lifespan.
Greg Schneider, vice president, Artificial Lift, Halliburton, said, “We provide customers with advanced digital tools that give them clarity and control to make confident decisions. The Summit Knowledge digital ecosystem with SK Well Pages is a powerful step forward in the journey of how we deliver digital innovation for superior ESP optimisation.”
With SK Well Pages, Halliburton continues to drive innovation in artificial lift technology, offering oilfield operators a smarter, more connected way to optimise production.
Helix Energy Solutions has been awarded a multi-year contract for production enhancement and well abandonment services in the Gulf of America with an undisclosed major operator.
The contract will commence next year and calls for the provision of either the Q5000 or Q4000 riser-based well intervention vessel, a 10k or 15k Intervention Riser System (IRS) and remotely operated vehicles.
Helix’s services will cover operations from fully integrated production enhancement to full integrated plug and abandonment well services.
Scotty Sparks, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, said, “We are pleased to expand our backlog by successfully executing another multi-year contract for well intervention services. This contract underscores our commitment to delivering safe, cost-effective and efficient production enhancement and abandonment services in the Gulf of America, supported by Helix’s advanced vessels, decades of industry-leading experiences, and the collaborative capabilities of our Subsea Services Alliance.”
The contract includes equipment and services as part of the Subsea Services Alliance: a strategic partnership between Helix and SLB.
The decommissioning challenge is coming into sharp focus for Asia Pacific, as it is across much of the globe — but this brings with it immense opportunity too.
Offshore platform decommissioning can bring with it clean energy and resort development initiatives, artificial reefs and sustainable energy transition opportunities if thoroughly planned and well executed.
That’s one of the core messages from a new insight paper by top law firm Norton Rose Fulbright which assesses the decommissioning challenge facing Asia and elsewhere.
Since 1950, it estimates that over 12,000 offshore oil and gas platforms have been installed globally.
It is forecast that 2,600 may require decommissioning by 2040 at a cost of approximately US$210bn.
Newer platforms sited in deeper waters face higher decommissioning costs — but there are also opportunities, according to Norton Rose Fulbright.
“Southeast Asia, Indonesia and Malaysia have some of the most challenging offshore platform decommissioning obligations globally,” it notes.
“In addition to the significant magnitude of these obligations, uncertainty resulting from unpredictable allocation of decommissioning financial responsibility can impede international investors’ efforts to divest assets and undermine investor confidence in new projects.”
Asia reportedly hosts over 1,750 offshore oil and gas assets, with 85% sited in Indonesia and Malaysia, most operating for 20 years or longer.
Approximately 200 offshore fields are expected to cease production in southeast Asia by 2030, with projected decommissioning costs of roughly US$100bn.
Greater clarity in relation to decommissioning regimes is therefore urgently needed, the law firm notes.
“The issue is especially acute in Indonesia, where production-sharing contracts governing many concessions will soon expire. Operators or investors may view the government or national oil companies (NOC) as responsible for decommissioning costs, while government parties may assert the operator should take responsibility. Indonesia has a decommissioning legal framework, but relevant requirements are not yet fully clarified.”
Malaysia could provide something of a solution.“Malaysia has a history of artificial reef construction, independent of offshore platform decommissioning, with Malaysia’s government and NOC, Petronas, having expressed support for RTR (Rigs-to-Reefs),” the insight paper states.
“Malaysia’s Baram-8 decommissioning was the first RTR project in the South China Sea and was successful.”
Malaysia is also exploring alternative and innovative decommissioning concepts including recreational use of decommissioned platforms, the paper adds.
The RTR debate ensues globally, the law firm notes, and work remains to evaluate RTR’s future prospects, while the issues of costs and liability allocation require attention.
“Marine organisms reportedly provide 50% of our oxygen, while oceans produce 15% of our protein and absorb about 40% of global CO2 emissions. But some stakeholders believe increasing CO2 levels may cause increasing ocean acidification, accelerating loss of natural coral reefs and marine habitat.
“Thus, in addition to preserving and enhancing marine fisheries’ habitat and food resources, broader adoption of RTR decommissioning holds the potential to counteract the global loss of natural coral reefs and, thereby, to help preserve and enhance the marine ecosystem’s capacity to continue providing CO2 absorption and oxygen production capacity, critical to sustaining our world.”
Kent, the global integrated energy services partner is acquiring Exceed (XCD) Holdings Limited, to create a global leader in decommissioning, well management and sub surface engineering services.
This acquisition will strengthen Kent’s position in the fast-growing global decommissioning market, set to rise from US$8bn to US$16bn a year by 2035, as the company aims to become a full-service partner across the energy lifecycle, including late-life operations through to the safe and successful decommissioning of customer assets.
Exceed, headquartered in Aberdeen and active in over 40 countries, has two decades of experience in delivering complex offshore well projects, with over 70 wells drilled and more than 150 decommissioned to date. Its proven delivery model and track record will combine with Kent’s global platform and project execution strength to meet growing demand for safe, compliant and cost-effective end-of-life solutions for oil and gas infrastructure.
The deal could also open up significant energy transition opportunities given Exceed is already repurposing reservoirs for carbon capture and hydrogen storage projects, and Kent also has expertise in this area.
“Our agreement to acquire Exceed is a bold step into the future of responsible energy operations,” said John Gilley, CEO of Kent. “Exceed’s specialist capabilities in well and reservoir management, coupled with their strong reputation in decommissioning, complement our vision of offering full lifecycle services to our clients. Together, we will be uniquely positioned to help the industry navigate energy security, net-zero mandates, and the safe retirement of offshore assets.”
Ian Mills, Managing Director of Exceed, commented, “We’ve built Exceed over 20 years with a commitment to technical excellence, innovation and client trust. Joining forces with Kent is the natural next step. It gives us the financial backing and global reach to scale our expertise to new markets and opportunities, while preserving the same culture, entrepreneurial spirit and values that define us.”
The transaction is expected to be completed later this year.
Jadestone Energy plc has provided an update on the testing and production performance of the Skua-11ST well at the Montara field, located offshore Australia.
Production from the Skua-11ST well began in early August 2025 and has exceeded expectations. Initial oil production rates surpassed 6,000 barrels per day (bbls/d), well above the earlier guidance of 3,500 bbls/d. Following this initial surge, production rates stabilised at around 4,400 bbls/d with the well operating on a 40% open choke, before other subsea wells at the Montara field were restarted.
The Skua-11ST well was equipped with downhole inflow control devices. These are designed to optimise the sweep and recovery of the reservoir, helping to maximise oil extraction. Moving forward, Skua-11ST and the other wells at Montara will be managed carefully to ensure the highest possible recovery from the field over the longer term.
Commenting on the results, T. Mitch Little, Chief Executive Officer of Jadestone, said, “We are pleased to report the strong initial flows from the Skua-11ST well, which will meaningfully contribute to higher production from Montara, underpinning our revised 2025 production guidance which was upgraded in July. The increase in production will also reduce Montara unit operating costs and extend field life by approximately one year.”
These encouraging results mark a significant step for Jadestone Energy, supporting both improved production forecasts and the long-term sustainability of the Montara field’s operations.
Following the release of a new study exploring the infrastructure and capabilities required to support offshore oil and gas decommissioning in the Northern Territory, a timetable of potential projects and opportunities is coming into focus.
It begins with subsea infrastructure and mooring systems associated with the Northern Endeavour project, coming ashore from 2025, and continues through the decades culminating with potential involvement on Ichthys, coming ashore from 2058 onwards.
However, the intermittent nature of the work means the establishment of a permanent, local decommissioning and abandonment (D&A) workforce is unlikely to be economic, compared with resources and labour at rival locations, notably Western Australia (WA).
Australia's Centre of Decommissioning (CODA) released its Northern Territory report in July highlighting some of the limitations of the region, as well as areas in which it can play a meaningful role in the nation’s decommissioning efforts.
“It is not deemed credible for large fixed facilities (i.e., non-wellhead platforms) or floating facilities to be decommissioned in the Northern Territory,” the report notes.
However, the state does appear to hold a great deal of promise in aiding work to process related subsea infrastructure and mooring systems.
From a planning perspective, CODA states, the following are the most credible oil and gas decommissioning opportunities in the Northern Territory:
2025: Subsea infrastructure and mooring systems associated with the Northern Endeavour, coming ashore from 2025.
2032-2036: Subsea infrastructure, mooring systems and a wellhead platform associated with Montara, coming ashore between 2032 and 2036.
2038: Subsea infrastructure, mooring systems (CALM buoy) and a wellhead platform associated with Blacktip, coming ashore from 2038.
2047-2052: Subsea infrastructure and mooring systems associated with the Prelude and Crux developments, coming ashore between 2047 and 2052.
2050-2055: Subsea infrastructure, mooring systems and a wellhead platform associated with the Barossa and possibly the Bayu Undan developments, coming ashore between 2050 and 2055.
2058-2063: Subsea infrastructure and mooring systems associated with Ichthys, coming ashore from 2058 and 2063.
Crucially, the report suggests that based on the estimated decommissioning dates, there does not appear to be significant overlaps in the decommissioning windows of the various developments.
Lack of overlap means that each decommissioning campaign will need to be established separately – including leases on land, and mobilisation of a workforce and equipment.
“Between the defence and offshore oil and gas industries, there is unlikely to be the demand to sustain a continuous decommissioning workforce especially compared with other jurisdictions such as WA,” it notes.
“Given decommissioning requires specialist capability, this will result in a short-term or ‘project’ based workforce,” it adds.
In June 2025, Equinor and Shell announced the creation of Adura, a joint venture poised to become the UK North Sea’s largest independent oil and gas producer.
First revealed in December 2024, Adura merges the offshore oil and gas assets and expertise of two energy giants to sustain domestic production and enhance UK energy security.
Headquartered at the Silver Fin building in Aberdeen, Adura is deeply rooted in the city’s legacy as the UK’s energy capital.
The name Adura, combining the “A” of Aberdeen with the “dura” of durability, reflects the venture’s foundation in the granite-strong energy community and its commitment to the North Sea’s long-term future.
The company will manage key assets, including Equinor’s stakes in Mariner and Buzzard and Shell’s interests in Shearwater, Penguins, Gannet, Nelson, Pierce, Victory, Clair, and Schiehallion, alongside various exploration licenses.
Adura is projected to produce over 140,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2025, with ambitions to reach 200,000–220,000 boed within five years as new projects come online.
Since its naming, Adura has progressed toward its planned launch by the end of 2025, pending regulatory approvals.
Approximately 1,300 employees from Equinor and Shell are transitioning to the venture, with Shell staff already based at Silver Fin and Equinor’s workforce relocating from Kingswells in phases through 2026.
This move reinforces Aberdeen’s role as a global hub for energy expertise. Equinor’s £6bn in deferred tax losses will bolster Adura’s financial flexibility, while Shell’s robust production capacity enhances cash flow, positioning the venture for cost-competitive operations in a maturing basin.
Camilla Salthe, senior vice president Equinor UK Upstream, said, “We are so pleased to have reached this major milestone in the creation of the new company with Shell. For us, the name Adura represents the very heart of this company and speaks to its people and place within the energy community anchored in Aberdeen, alongside its longevity and commitment to the North Sea.”
Simon Roddy, senior vice president Shell UK Upstream, said, “Adura takes an exciting step forward today as we unveil its new name – rooted in a proud history in the North Sea and looking forward with confidence to delivering secure energy for the UK for many years to come.When Adura launches later this year it will become the UK’s largest independent producer. Through combining assets and expertise, we will create a robust portfolio, with a shared purpose, to unlock long term value.”
Expro, a global provider of energy services, has achieved a significant breakthrough in its international operations with the successful delivery of the world’s first fully remote five-plug cementing operation in Saudi Arabia. This marks a major step forward in the company’s strategic expansion across the Middle East and showcases its dedication to innovation, safety, and advanced engineering in the well construction space.
The landmark operation was carried out using Expro’s Generation-X Remote Plug Launcher (RPL) and the SkyHook cement-line make-up device—two proprietary technologies designed to automate complex cementing processes. This fully hands-free system enabled a multi-stage cementing job to be completed without any red-zone entry or man-riding operations, setting a new benchmark for operational safety and remote performance in the field.
This latest achievement builds on Expro’s initial cementing job in the Kingdom, completed in January. That successful operation laid the groundwork for rapid growth in the region, culminating in the delivery of this more complex five-plug job in May. Both operations reflect Expro’s deliberate progression from market entry to technology leadership, highlighting the scalability, precision, and reliability of its automated cementing solutions in high-demand environments.
The recent five-plug operation involved cementing a 9-5/8” casing in a high-pressure gas well—the longest of its kind in the field. All five components were pre-loaded into the modular Generation-X RPL in a controlled environment and launched remotely at the well site with high accuracy. This significantly reduced rig time, eliminated high-risk manual tasks, and improved cement placement and zonal isolation-critical factors in maintaining long-term well integrity.
“Our entry into Saudi Arabia is more than just geographic expansion – it’s about transforming cementing operations through advanced engineering,” said Jeremy Angelle, Vice President of Well Construction at Expro. “This breakthrough showcases our Generation-X and SkyHook technologies as world-class innovations that drive measurable safety and efficiency gains.”
Additional deployments of these technologies across the region have further validated their performance, with one customer achieving cement displacement rates of up to 13 bpm through the top drive—delivering cleaner wellbores, quicker casing-to-cement transitions, and shorter wellbore static times.
“Both the Generation-X launcher and SkyHook system were designed with safety, control, and field adaptability in mind,” Angelle added. “To see them deliver such strong results in a new region is a proud moment, and a signal of what’s possible as we grow our well construction capabilities globally.”
Expro continues to invest in expanding its footprint in Saudi Arabia and beyond, aligning its offerings with evolving customer needs in oil, gas, and geothermal markets. With proven success and growing demand, its remote cementing solutions are now poised for wider global adoption.
Norway is moving ahead with new oil and gas exploration in an effort to sustain long-term production on the Norwegian continental shelf.
The Ministry of Energy has officially initiated the process for the 26th licensing round, opening the door for companies to nominate acreage for potential development.
“Norway will remain a long-term supplier of oil and gas to Europe, while the Norwegian continental shelf will continue to create values and jobs for our country. To deliver on this commitment, we must make more discoveries — and to make more discoveries, we must explore. That is why today we are launching the process for the 26th licensing round for awarding new production licenses,” said Minister of Energy Terje Aasland.
The announcement coincides with Aasland’s inauguration of the Johan Castberg field in the Barents Sea, one of the largest new projects on the shelf in recent years.
Much of Norway’s remaining oil and gas resources have yet to be proven, making new exploration critical. Without fresh discoveries, production is expected to gradually decline from the early 2030s. Alongside exploration, improved recovery techniques and the development of profitable finds are seen as essential to slowing that trend.
The government has pledged to keep annual licensing rounds at the centre of its strategy. The Awards in Predefined Areas (APA) rounds, which cover most opened and available acreage, remain the backbone of policy. Numbered rounds, such as the 26th, apply to areas outside the APA zone.
“The Labour Party Government has a long-term perspective on the further development of our continental shelf. Europe will need oil and gas for a long time to come. Our goal is to ensure that we can supply oil and gas produced with low emissions for as long as there is a demand. Annual licensing rounds going forward are important to achieve this,” Aasland added.
As part of the 26th round, the Norwegian Offshore Directorate has been tasked with managing the nomination process, allowing licensees to propose areas for inclusion. Their input, combined with the Directorate’s own subsurface assessments, will guide recommendations to the Ministry on which acreage should ultimately be made available.
A new report by an alliance of unions and leading environmental organisations has recommended the establishment of a nation-first decommissioning hub in Western Australia to manage the state's growing number of retired offshore oil and gas assets.
The WA Can’t Wait report, a collaboration between Greenpeace Australia Pacific, Unions WA, Conservation Council WA, Maritime Union of Australia - WA Branch, The Wilderness Society, Australian Manufacturing Workers Union - WA Branch, Electrical Trades Union - WA Branch, argues that a WA decommissioning hub would deliver thousands of secure, skilled jobs, protect marine ecosystems and coastal communities, and bring scrap steel and other materials into local domestic circular supply chains.
Recommendations include:
• A decommissioning hub be built in Western Australia, near current fossil fuel infrastructure and where green recycling facilities can be established
• Oil and gas operators are held financially responsible and a fully industry-funded clean-up be mandated
• Existing laws are strengthened and enforced to ensure a full and timely decommissioning
• The safety of workers and the environment is prioritised
• Investment in ports, recycling facilities and local workforces is increased to support decommissioning and emerging offshore wind and other renewable energy industries.
Geoff Bice, Greenpeace Australia Pacific WA Campaign Lead, pointed out that 89% of Australia’s 5.7 million tonnes of offshore oil and gas infrastructure is in West Australian waters.
“A decommissioning hub is WA-positive, and the industry should foot the bill for their own mess. This isn’t just a clean-up plan, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a world-leading industry.”
Matt Roberts, Conservation Council of Western Australia Executive Director, said,“50% of Australia’s offshore oil and gas infrastructure is due to be decommissioned by 2030 and most of it is in WA. It is critical that companies are held to account to deliver on their environmental responsibilities. There are also huge opportunities for new jobs in decommissioning and metals recycling. These are the jobs of the future that will help us transition to renewable energy."
Will Tracey, Maritime Union of Australia WA Secretary, said, “We welcome this practical, worker and community-focused contribution to solving a national decommissioning bottleneck. This is how we keep high value jobs in WA and secure economic strength for decades to come, building a bridge between the energy past and a just, sustainable future. It’s time for the government to act on what workers and communities are calling for: full removal, local recycling, and a Future Made in Australia that starts in WA.”
Sunda Energy has updated investors on its latest well planning activities for the Chuditch field, a material asset in the Timor Sea gas fairway, in Timor-Leste.
Following an announcement on 16 June 2025 of the postponement of drilling of the Chuditch-2 well by subsidiary SundaGas Banda Unipessoal, Lda., the UK-listed exploration and production company said it has engaged with local authorities concerning the realisation of the drilling campaign, now likely to be in the first half of 2026.
Sunda Energy executives visited Dili in July for meetings with the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, upstream regulator Autoridade Nacional do Petróleo (ANP) and state-owned joint venture partner TIMOR GAP.
It reported that discussions were “constructive and positive” with all parties committed to completing drilling preparations and executing the campaign on the revised timeline.
In the meantime, it is putting in place a team to assist in the planned campaign, including assessing a revised proposal from the Timor-Leste helicopter company for support on the upcoming offshore work.
The company is also engaged with a number of rig operators in preparation for a full tender exercise to enable the retimed drilling campaign, while the process of securing an environmental permit continues.
The Chuditch production-sharing contract is located 185km south of Timor-Leste, 100km east of the producing Bayu-Undan field, and 50km south of the Greater Sunrise potential development.
The shallow water area contains the Chuditch-1 gas discovery drilled by Shell in 1998, which encountered a 30m gross gas column.
The initial aim is for the drilling of an appraisal well, to be followed by a production flow test (DST) to establish potential flow rates for any anticipated future development.
Separately, Sunda Energy said in a statement that it is “actively engaged” in the pursuit of a number of new business initiatives without identifying details.
It said the target opportunities are “potentially material” and would be “highly impactful” to the company if secured.
Sunda Energy also has applications outstanding on two blocks in the Sulu Sea, offshore Philippines, pending final Presidential signature.
“It is understood that there are now nine new Service Contracts pending signature, including the two in which Sunda will participate, and there is an expectation that these will all be signed in the near future, as a trigger for renewed oil and gas activities in the Philippines,” the statement noted.
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