ExxonMobil invests in Ignite Energy's Australia CSG venture

June 7, 2012

An affiliate of ExxonMobil Australia Pty. Ltd. agreed to obtain an initial 10% interest in an onshore Exploration License 4416 in the Gippsland basin of southeast Victoria, Australia, from Ignite Energy Resources Ltd.

Paula Dittrick

The ExxonMobil affiliate is Esso Ventures LLC. During the next 12-18 months Esso Ventures and IER will jointly evaluate and assess the natural gas potential in the license’s coal seams to determine whether it can be commercially produced.

IER plans to operate the preliminary assessment phase. EL4416 covers more than 3,800 sq km. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

IER has offices in Melbourne and Sydney with an onshore resource portfolio and a lignite and biomass upgrading technology being demonstrated at its Somersby facility near Sydney.

Esso Australia Resources has operated the Bass Strait Joint Venture for more than 40 years.

About the Author

Paula Dittrick | Senior Staff Writer

Paula Dittrick has covered oil and gas from Houston for more than 20 years. Starting in May 2007, she developed a health, safety, and environment beat for Oil & Gas Journal. Dittrick is familiar with the industry’s financial aspects. She also monitors issues associated with carbon sequestration and renewable energy.

Dittrick joined OGJ in February 2001. Previously, she worked for Dow Jones and United Press International. She began writing about oil and gas as UPI’s West Texas bureau chief during the 1980s. She earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in journalism from the University of Nebraska in 1974.