Exxon to Drill Five Wells to Look for Gas in Australia's Bass Strait

ExxonMobil subsidiary Esso Australia will drill five new wells at the Turrum field as part of its ongoing investment in Bass Strait to develop new gas supplies, the company said Wednesday.

The A$335 million investment in drilling follows the start-up of the $4.5 billion Kipper Tuna Turrum project. First oil from the Turrum field, exported via the new Marlin B platform, was announced in October 2013. This phase of the Turrum field development involves drilling of four gas wells and one oil well.

Turrum holds an estimated 1 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and 110 million barrels of oil and gas liquids.

ExxonMobil Australia Chairman Richard Owen said the drilling program is expected to continue into the second half of 2015.

“ExxonMobil continues to invest in Bass Strait to unlock new resources and maintain gas supplies. The Turrum field drilling program will help ensure that Bass Strait continues to be at the forefront of the oil and gas story in Australia,” said Owen.