Bass Oil May Production Rises 5 Percent as Bunian 6 Well Drilling Starts
Bass Oil lifted May production by 5% with a 219 barrels per day average, while drilling commenced on the Bunian 6 well, expected to double group output.
- May group production up 5% to 6,789 barrels
- Cooper Basin output rises 8%, Padulla field recovers
- Bunian 6 well drilling started 5 June, doubling Indonesian production
- Vanessa gas field acquisition nears regulatory approval
- Encouraging seismic results support Kiwi gas development
Production Growth Driven by Cooper Basin and Indonesia
Bass Oil Limited (ASX:BAS) reported a 5% increase in group oil production for May 2026, averaging 219 barrels of oil per day (bopd) net to the company. Total production reached 6,789 barrels, with sales of 6,400 barrels generating A$735,630 in revenue. The Cooper Basin operations contributed 2,508 barrels at 81 bopd, marking an 8% rise from April as the Padulla oil field returned to normal production levels. Cooper Basin sales averaged A$149.87 per barrel, reflecting stable pricing in the region.
Bunian 6 Well Drilling Commences to Boost Indonesian Output
In Indonesia, Bass’s share of oil production from the Tangai-Sukananti fields reached 4,281 barrels in May, up 3% month-on-month. Despite a 9% drop in the average oil price to US$101.30 per barrel, the upcoming Bunian 6 development well is poised to significantly impact production. Drilling began on 5 June following successful rig safety and compliance checks, with the well expected to come online in early July and potentially double Bass’s group oil output. This development represents a critical growth catalyst for the company’s Indonesian portfolio.
Vanessa Gas Field Acquisition Nears Completion
Bass is progressing the acquisition of the Vanessa gas field, currently pending final regulatory approval. The company is working with GPA Engineering to advance an engineering study aimed at recommissioning the gas processing facility and 5-kilometre pipeline, targeting first gas sales into the east coast market by year-end. The acquisition offers Bass access to conventional and tight gas reserves, with potential for reserve growth through fracture stimulation in existing wells. Additionally, the Vanessa well’s penetration of the Permian sequence offers a low-cost opportunity to test deep coal resources in PEL 182, aligning with broader commercialisation efforts in the Cooper Basin.
Kiwi Gas Field Development Supported by Government Grant and Seismic Data
Bass continues to advance its 100% owned Kiwi gas project, with GPA Engineering updating the pre-FEED study and ongoing discussions with Santos regarding development tie-in options. The South Australian Government’s $3.5 million grant, executed in May, underpins efforts to accelerate Kiwi’s field development. Meanwhile, reprocessing of the Dundinna 3D seismic survey is nearing completion, revealing encouraging results that enhance the understanding of the Triassic-aged hydrocarbon reservoirs. Samples from the Kiwi field and the Arrabury Trough are undergoing detailed geochemical analysis in the US, aiming to clarify the source of liquids-rich gas and inform future exploration potential.
Bottom Line?
Bunian 6’s imminent production ramp-up and Vanessa gas field’s regulatory progress set the stage for Bass Oil’s next growth phase, with seismic insights at Kiwi adding exploration upside.
Questions in the middle?
- How quickly will Bunian 6 well impact Indonesian production volumes and revenue?
- What timeline and costs will the Vanessa gas field recommissioning entail before first gas sales?
- Will the seismic and geochemical data translate into tangible reserve upgrades at Kiwi?
