Creative steps to bring new gas supply to the south-east Australian domestic gas market: the Sole Gas Project after 42 years

Abstract

The Sole Gas Project is a new offshore project delivering gas to south-east Australian domestic gas customers, and the first new offshore development introduced into a tight market since the three Gladstone liquefied natural gas projects have been in full production. During an overall industry downturn (~2015) an opportunity presented itself. The Sole Gas Project was always technically robust since the first development plan was assessed and selected but required a market signal for it to be commercialised and funded. As the foundation target in its burgeoning domestic gas strategy, Cooper Energy acquired the Sole gas field (VIC/L32) and the Orbost Gas Plant in two stages and pursued creative steps to combine focused subsurface and engineering techniques, a drilling campaign, partners, funding, gas marketing, regulators and community to deliver new gas supply without a single offshore lost-time injury or incident.