Latest Exploration And Appraisal News

Central Petroleum’s first new Palm Valley well is producing around 0.5 TJ/d, well below pre-completion expectations of 3-4 TJ/d, with water loading a possible cause. Cash fell to $14.9 million as drilling costs rose, leaving the company reliant on a planned clean-out and the next well, PV15, to restore momentum.

Pancontinental Energy has applied to extend its PEL 87 exploration rights in Namibia, backed by a proposed firm well and 4,200 square kilometres of seismic reprocessing. The company has also awarded DUG Technology the reprocessing contract, while its $1.866 million cash balance leaves future exploration funding as a key consideration.

Buru Energy has booked 15.25 million boe of 2P reserves for its Rafael gas and condensate project, while advancing environmental and production approvals. The company has $2.5 million in cash, no debt and only 1.24 quarters of estimated funding at its reported expenditure rate, making the next financing a critical step.

Elixir Energy has told ASX that its $205 million strategic farm-out with Beach Energy was material price-sensitive information and became disclosable when documents were signed. The company says it released the deal before trading resumed and remained compliant with continuous disclosure rules.

Elixir Energy has reported encouraging early flow results from its Lorelle-3H appraisal well while securing a $205 million strategic farmout with Beach Energy. The deal offers a four-year funding pathway, but the well’s post-soak performance and transaction completion remain important next tests.

Elixir Energy has agreed to farm out half of its interests across much of the Taroom Trough to Beach Energy for $25 million in cash and a four-year, $180 million gross carried work program. The deal could materially reduce Elixir’s funding burden, but completion still depends on several approvals and conditions.

Beach Energy has agreed to spend A$25 million in cash and carry A$90 million of exploration costs to expand its Taroom Trough footprint to 1,481 km2. The deal gives Beach operatorship of key permits, but remains subject to approvals and pre-emptive rights.

Amplitude Energy has opened FY27 with record quarterly production and revenue, while a successful Juliet gas discovery and East Coast Supply Project investment decision push its growth plan forward. The trade-off is higher spending, with FY27 capital expenditure guidance rising to A$320 million to A$390 million.

Buru Energy has applied for a Production Licence covering its wholly owned Rafael gas and condensate field in Western Australia, moving the project into another key regulatory phase. The application follows the booking of 15.25 MMboe of 2P Reserves and keeps planned 2027 drilling and early 2029 first gas in view, subject to approvals and funding.

Finder Energy has secured a conditional contract for the Hakuryu-5 semi-submersible rig to drill three development wells offshore Timor-Leste, with two further wells optional. The approximately US$42.3 million gross contract gives the Kuda Tasi and Jahal project a defined drilling window, but financing and multiple approvals remain outstanding before Final Investment Decision.

Elixir Energy has begun the second phase of flow testing at Lorelle-3H after a 60-day reservoir soak, moving the Queensland appraisal well closer to a potential maiden Reserves booking. Success could position the well as a foundation producer for the proposed Warkon Pilot.

Grand Gulf Energy has reported a sharply wider FY2026 loss after impairing $15.03 million of Red Helium exploration assets. The auditor also flagged material uncertainty over the company’s ability to continue without further capital.