Fossil Energy – Australia
Esso continues to develop its Kipper gas field in Victoria’s Gippsland Basin.
NOPSEMA Australia recently approved the oil giant’s Kipper stage 1B environment plan, the scope of which covers jack-up rig positioning, drilling, installation, and vessel and aircraft activity.
The drilling will take place at the Kipper subsea facility located in production licence VIC/L25. The completed well will be connected to the existing Kipper subsea manifold through the existing infrastructure installed during Kipper stage 1A.
The plan also includes a contingency activity if the new well does not flow as expected. The rig will return to the well to undertake well stimulation/remediation activities, including flow back and flaring.
According to Esso, drilling will take place this year once the rig has completed previous activities. Once commenced, these activities are expected to take roughly 90 days, depending on operational and weather factors.
