ExxonMobil begins Turrum Phase 3 drilling off Australia’s east coast
Esso Australia Pty Ltd., a subsidiary of ExxonMobil Corp. and current operator of the Gippsland basin oil and gas fields in Bass Strait offshore eastern Victoria, has started drilling the Turrum Phase 3 project in Australia.
This $350-million investment will see the VALARIS 107 jack-up rig drill five new wells into Turrum and North Turrum gas fields within Production License VIC/L03 to support Australia’s east coast domestic gas market. The new wells will be drilled from Marlin B platform, about 42 km off the Gippsland coastline, southeast of Lakes Entrance in water depths of about 60 m, according to a 2025 information bulletin.
In 2025, Esso made a final investment decision to develop the Turrum Phase 3 project targeting underdeveloped gas resources.
The Gippsland Basin joint venture is a 50-50 partnership between Esso Australia Resources and Woodside Energy (Bass Strait) and operated by Esso Australia.
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Mikaila Adams
Managing Editor, Content Strategist
Mikaila Adams has 20 years of experience as an editor, most of which has been centered on the oil and gas industry. She enjoyed 12 years focused on the business/finance side of the industry as an editor for Oil & Gas Journal's sister publication, Oil & Gas Financial Journal (OGFJ). After OGFJ ceased publication in 2017, she joined Oil & Gas Journal and was later named Managing Editor - News. Her role has expanded into content strategy. She holds a degree from Texas Tech University.