Red Sky Energy Advances Innamincka Drilling with Yarrow and Willowie Wells
Red Sky Energy reports progress on its Innamincka Dome drilling campaign, with civil works nearing completion for Yarrow wells and access approvals secured for the Willowie 2 appraisal well. Spud dates are set for late August and mid-October 2026, respectively.
- Yarrow 4 and Yarrow 5 dual-well pad civil works near completion
- Yarrow 4 spud expected late August 2026
- Access approvals received for Willowie 2 appraisal well
- Willowie 2 spud targeted for mid-October 2026
- Red Sky holds 20% interest; Santos operates all wells
Yarrow Drilling Nears Operational Milestone
Red Sky Energy (ASX:ROG) is inching closer to drilling the next phase of wells at the Innamincka Dome, with civil works for the Yarrow 4 and Yarrow 5 dual-well pad nearly complete. Despite persistent rainfall delays, site preparation in the Yarrow gas field is wrapping up, positioning the operator Santos (ASX:STO) to spud Yarrow 4 towards the end of August 2026. The follow-up Yarrow 5 well is expected to commence immediately after, subject to scheduling and weather.
Willowie 2 Appraisal Well Gains Access Approval
Meanwhile, Red Sky has secured access approvals for the Willowie 2 appraisal well within PRL 18, allowing civil works to begin in the latter half of August. The spud for Willowie 2 is estimated for mid-October 2026. This well targets the Patchawarra and Tirrawarra formations and, if successful, will tie into existing Santos infrastructure, potentially accelerating production ramp-up.
Established Production Base Supports Expansion
The Yarrow development program builds on production already established by Yarrow 1 and Yarrow 3, which have been feeding gas and liquids into Santos’ gathering system since late 2025. Red Sky holds a 20% working interest across six Petroleum Retention Licences in the Innamincka Dome, leveraging Santos’ established pipeline and processing infrastructure that connects directly to the Moomba facility. This setup reduces development costs and time to first production, a crucial factor in the Cooper Basin’s competitive landscape.
Operational Timing Subject to Conditions
All timing estimates provided by Santos remain subject to change due to weather, access windows, and operational scheduling. Red Sky’s Managing Director Andrew Knox emphasised the program’s steady progress, noting the importance of the upcoming drilling milestones. The company plans to keep the market updated as the campaign advances and wells are spudded.
Bottom Line?
Red Sky’s Innamincka drilling campaign is progressing steadily, but weather and operational factors could shift timelines, making upcoming spud dates key watchpoints.
Questions in the middle?
- Will Willowie 2’s appraisal results justify further development in the Patchawarra and Tirrawarra formations?
- How will weather and access challenges impact the overall drilling schedule and capital deployment?
- What production uplift can investors realistically expect once Yarrow 4 and 5 come online?
