Tamboran’s Beetaloo Drilling Milestone Raises Stakes for Mid-2026 Gas Delivery
Tamboran Resources has completed the largest drilling campaign in the Beetaloo Basin, delivering three 10,000-foot lateral wells with record efficiency. The company targets first gas sales by mid-2026, advancing its Northern Territory gas supply ambitions.
- Largest-ever Beetaloo Basin drilling program completed
- Three horizontal wells drilled with 10,000-foot laterals
- Record drilling speed using Baker Hughes anti-vibration technology
- Stimulation and flow testing planned for late 2025 and early 2026
- Supports long-term gas sales agreement with Northern Territory Government
A Milestone in Beetaloo Basin Development
Tamboran Resources Corporation has marked a significant operational achievement by completing the largest drilling program ever undertaken in Australia's Beetaloo Basin. The campaign involved the batch drilling of three horizontal wells, Shenandoah South -4H, -5H, and -6H, each boasting a lateral length of 10,000 feet. This scale of drilling activity underscores Tamboran's commitment to unlocking the basin's gas potential and advancing its strategic development plans.
The wells were drilled with impressive efficiency, averaging just 26.7 days from spud to total depth, well within the forecasted 35-day timeframe. This was made possible by the deployment of cutting-edge Baker Hughes anti-vibration drilling technology, which notably enabled Tamboran to achieve its fastest horizontal drilling rate to date in the Mid Velkerri B Shale, with over 1,100 metres drilled in a single day on the SS-6H well.
Next Steps – Stimulation and Flow Testing
Following casing and suspension, Tamboran plans to stimulate the SS-4H well in the fourth quarter of 2025 using Liberty Energy's modern stimulation equipment. The program will involve up to 60 stages across the full lateral length, aiming to optimize well productivity. A 30-day flow test is scheduled to follow, designed to provide critical data on the well's performance ahead of its planned shut-in for future gas sales.
The other two wells, along with the reinforced SS-3H well, are slated for stimulation in the first half of 2026. These activities are pivotal steps toward Tamboran's goal of commencing gas sales to the Northern Territory network by mid-2026, under a long-term Gas Sales Agreement with the Northern Territory Government.
Strategic Position and Broader Implications
Tamboran holds a commanding acreage position in the Beetaloo Basin, with approximately 1.9 million net prospective acres, making it the largest acreage holder and operator in the region. This extensive footprint, combined with the successful execution of this drilling campaign, positions the company as a key player in Australia's emerging gas supply landscape.
Moreover, Tamboran's progress is closely watched given the basin's potential to contribute significantly to domestic energy security and regional gas markets. The integration of advanced US drilling technologies into the Northern Territory context highlights a transfer of expertise that could accelerate development timelines and operational efficiencies.
However, the company remains mindful of the challenges ahead, including regulatory approvals, environmental considerations, and the inherent risks of exploration and production activities. The forward-looking nature of the project means that while milestones have been achieved, execution risks remain as stimulation and production phases approach.
Bottom Line?
Tamboran’s drilling success sets the stage for a critical phase of stimulation and testing, with mid-2026 gas sales within sight but still contingent on upcoming operational milestones.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the upcoming stimulation and flow tests confirm commercial gas production rates?
- How will Tamboran manage regulatory and environmental challenges as production ramps up?
- What impact will the Falcon Oil & Gas acquisition have on Tamboran’s development strategy?
