- Isabella sidetrack flow test complete: results do not support commercial development of the Isabella field; well to be plugged and abandoned
- East Coast Supply Project (“ECSP”) plans remain unchanged: next well for Amplitude Energy expected to be drilled in H2 CY2026
- Drilling programme remains within budget: continued safe execution
Amplitude Energy has provided an update on drilling operations at the Isabella prospect in the Offshore Otway Basin, Victoria.
The Isabella field is located in permit VIC/L24 within Commonwealth waters, south-west of the producing Casino field. Amplitude Energy is operator and 50% interest holder in VIC/L24 with O.G. Energy holding the remaining 50% interest (the 'Joint Venture'). The Isabella field is being drilled as a planned sidetrack ('ST1') from the earlier Elanora-1 well.
As announced on 2 March 2026, the ST-1 8 ½-inch hole section intersected gas in the primary Waarre C reservoir target on 1 March 2026. Following initial wireline tests, ST-1 was cased and completed between 8- 21 March, followed by a flow test and pressure build-up period to inform resource volume estimates.
Pressure depletion during the testing period does not support a commercial development of the Isabella field in the present location. The ST-1 well will now be plugged and abandoned. This activity is expected to occur over coming days, upon completion of which Amplitude Energy will release the Transocean Equinox to the next member of the offshore Otway Basin rig consortium. The Elanora-1/ST-1 well programme remains within the Company’s budget.
A final investment decision for the development phase of the ECSP will be deferred to follow the drilling of subsequent wells, expected in 2H CY2026. As the project is well-advanced, there is no change to the ECSP drilling programme, project budget or target for first gas from CY2028. Amplitude Energy will assess Elanora & Isabella drilling and flow test data over coming months.
Managing Director and CEO Jane Norman commented that 'The result at Isabella is disappointing but geological data from this well will help inform our future exploration prospects. Isabella was a large and prospective target for the ECSP, however its size also corresponded with reservoir complexity, meaning it will require time to interpret the drilling information received. The result at Isabella does not impact our view on the probability of success of other Otway Basin exploration prospects, which have simpler geology.'
Source: Amplitude Energy
