The Juliet-1 drilling Beginning off the coast of Victoria with the Transocean Equinox platform, Amplitude Energy is seeking to determine the potential of a gas resource estimated at 48.8 billion cubic feet (bcf) within the East Coast Supply Project (ECSP). Operations commenced on August 22, 2026, on permit VIC/L24, located in Australian waters and near the Casino, Henry and Netherby (CHN) pipeline system, this location would allow for the utilization of existing infrastructure if the campaign results support future commercial development.
The Juliet-1 drilling targets the Waarre C reservoir
The Juliet-1 target is located in the Waarre C reservoir, where Amplitude Energy estimates an average gross prospective resource of 48.8 billion cubic feet (bcf) of gas, the Australian company controls 50 % of the VIC/L24 permit, while O.G. Energy owns the remaining 50 % as a partner in the joint venture. The geological interpretation of the prospect shows high amplitudes associated with the Waarre C reservoir and a flat zone located at approximately 2,300 meters of true vertical depth subsea (TVDSS), this signal has been interpreted as a possible gas-water contact, based on these elements, Amplitude Energy estimates a 84% probability of geological success for Juliet.
Transocean Equinox will drill to a depth of approximately 2,300 meters
The program anticipates 20 to 25 days of operations, depending on the conditions encountered during drilling. The maximum total depth is expected to be approximately 2,300 meters TVDSS, if Juliet-1 confirms the presence of gas, the next step will be to conduct geophysical logs to study the reservoir’s characteristics. This work will allow for the evaluation of aspects such as the composition and quality of the gas encountered, furthermore, a favorable result would pave the way for casing installation and well completion with a subsea tree, the program includes a flow test before temporarily suspending Juliet-1 and preparing it for potential integration into the ECSP.
The project aims to strengthen the gas supply
The campaign is part of the strategy of Amplitude Energy to develop new resources for the domestic gas market of southeastern Australia, Juliet’s proximity to existing transport infrastructure could benefit the project’s economics. The prospect is located adjacent to the CHN system, a feature that could facilitate its integration if the discovery progresses to production.
Amplitude Energy also agreed to acquire Beach Energy’s 50 % stake in VIC/L35, the permit that includes the Artisan gas field, located in the Otway Basin. This transaction is linked to the company’s plans to accelerate its production target for gas associated with the East Coast Supply Project to 2028.
Annie-2 will be the next well in the campaign
Following Juliet-1, the drilling program plans to continue with the Annie-2 development well, also using the Transocean Equinox platform, subsequently, Amplitude Energy and O.G. Energy will have to decide whether to proceed with drilling the Nestor prospect. A commercial discovery at Juliet or Nestor could improve ECSP’s economic conditions and create integration opportunities with Artisan.
The company maintains offshore gas operations and onshore processing plants linked to the Otway and Gippsland basins, it also participates in non-operated oil production in the Cooper Basin. For now, Juliet-1 will be crucial in determining how much of the identified potential can be converted into a commercially viable resource, the results of the drilling and subsequent reservoir testing will define the next steps for Amplitude Energy’s gas project off Victoria.
Source: Offshore Energy
Photo: Shutterstock
