Victorian and Australian governments approve 55-metre gas field in the Otway Basin

The Victorian and Australian governments have approved a production license for Australian gas company Amplitude Energy to develop a 55-metre deep gas field in the Otway Basin off western Victoria’s coast.

What does that mean? The offshore project is expected to supply gas to the east coast domestic market from 2028 using existing infrastructure from the Casino-Henry-Netherby gas field.

• The Annie gas field, Amplitude Energy’s new project 9 kilometres offshore between Port Campbell and Peterborough, will feed the Athena gas plant at Port Campbell.

• The decision will allow Amplitude to search for gas reserves using seismic blasting and look at the viability of drilling to extract petroleum.

• According to the University of Tasmania, seismic surveying, or seismic blasting, is the method used to search for new oil and gas. The process involves firing intense sound signals into the ocean using air guns. 

What’s next: Construction on the offshore project is expected to begin in 2027.

Government support: Victorian Energy and Resources Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said the approval would help secure local supply during the state’s energy transition.

• “This approval unlocks more affordable, locally produced gas for Victorians helping to secure supply for the industries that still rely on gas,” she said in a statement.

Environmental standards: The federal government said all projects are required to meet “strict environmental and emissions standards through established approval processes”.

• It says no exploration can occur without a mandatory 30-day environment plan public consultation.

• Amplitude Energy is currently preparing its environmental plan, with community drop in sessions scheduled across Portland, Warrnambool and Peterborough between late May and early June.

The announcement comes months after the federal government opened five new Otway Basin offshore areas to consultation for future gas exploration.