Emperor Energy (ASX:EMP), an Australian oil and gas exploration and production company focused on developing gas resources in the offshore Gippsland Basin, has announced a significant advancement for its Judith Gas Field project. The company, which aims to provide gas supply for Australia’s east coast energy market, confirmed that its Environment Plan for drilling the Judith-2 Appraisal Well has received approval from the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA). This acceptance marks a major milestone, providing the essential regulatory green light for the well’s drilling.
The timing of NOPSEMA’s approval aligns precisely with Emperor Energy’s recent agreement to secure the VALARIS 107 jack-up drilling rig. This rig is targeted to commence drilling operations for the Judith-2 Appraisal Well in April 2027. The VALARIS 107 is currently operating within the offshore Gippsland Basin and is expected to become available for Emperor Energy following the completion of its existing commitments in March 2027.
The Judith-2 Appraisal Well is designed to appraise the 166 billion cubic feet (Bcf) 2C Contingent recoverable gas resource previously discovered by Shell within the Judith structure in 1989. Furthermore, the well will explore the 142 Bcf P50 Prospective recoverable gas resource situated in the deeper Longtom gas sands, which underlie the contingent resource and are yet to be penetrated in the Judith structure. These deeper sands contribute to the overall 1.859 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of P50 Prospective recoverable gas resource independently assessed by GaffneyCline within the Judith structure.
