Beach Energy Ltd., Adelaide, and Bridgeport Energy Ltd., Sydney, were awarded two new exploration permits in the inshore sector of Otway basin of southwest Victoria.
The Victorian Minister for Resources, Jaclyn Symes, said the permits are in State waters near Portland and Port Campbell close to Beach’s existing Halladale-Speculant gas facility.
The permits can be drilled from onshore locations.
The companies will be required to work with the commercial fishing industry, local communities, and government bodies in the region.
Any new gas resources found will be prioritized for Victoria’s domestic market.
Victoria recently lifted its moratorium on onshore conventional oil and gas exploration but retained its ban on onshore unconventional gas plays with fracturing permanently banned throughout the state (OGJ Online, June 17, 2020).
