Santos grabs exploration permit off Australia

Australian energy major Santos has been granted an offshore exploration license in Australia’s Northern Carnarvon Basin.

The Exploration Permit WA-546-P was granted by National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator (NOPTA) last week, with the expiration date set at 20 December 2026.

Santos applied for the permit in March 2020. The area, located in the Dampier sub-basin, has a surface of 1,123 square kilometres and includes 14 blocks.

The permit is granted under several conditions. Namely, during the first three years, the company is expected to conduct seismic data works, geotechnical studies, generate prospects and leads, and carry out play models.

In the fourth year of the license, Santos is expected to start planning the drilling of one exploration well. In the fifth year, between December 2024 – and December 2025, Santos is expected to drill an exploration well.

Activities post drilling, in the sixth year, are expected to include geotechnical studies, including post-well studies.