Amplitude Energy has taken a final investment decision (FID) to proceed with the development phase of its East Coast Supply Project (ECSP) in Australia’s offshore Otway Basin, moving the gas project into formal execution.

The Australian energy company announced the decision on September 30, confirming that the development is targeting first gas in 2028.

The FID allows Amplitude Energy and its joint venture partner O.G. Energy to advance key development activities, including subsea infrastructure and modifications to the Athena Gas Plant.

East Coast Supply Project Targets Up to 90 TJ/Day

Subject to completion of Amplitude Energy’s acquisition of an interest in the Artisan gas field, the initial development will be underpinned by the Annie, Juliet and Artisan gas fields.

These fields are expected to support gross production of up to approximately 90 terajoules per day through the Athena Gas Plant for at least four years after first gas.

Amplitude Energy estimates point-forward development expenditure of between A$190 million and A$210 million for its net 50% share of the project across FY2027 and FY2028.

The expenditure is expected to cover subsea infrastructure, Athena Gas Plant modifications and control-system upgrades, pipeline re-lifing, regulatory approvals and project management.

Nestor Exploration Well Sanctioned

Alongside the ECSP investment decision, Amplitude Energy and O.G. Energy have sanctioned the Nestor exploration well.

Nestor is scheduled to be drilled after the Annie development well using the Transocean Equinox drilling rig. If exploration is successful, the well could be completed during the current drilling campaign and subsequently incorporated into the East Coast Supply Project.

The potential Nestor subsea tie-in is included in the company’s ECSP development cost estimate.

Amplitude Energy has also completed drilling and testing of the Juliet-1 well. The company reported a peak surface-constrained flow rate of 56.7 million standard cubic feet per day during testing, and the well is being suspended for future development.

Gas Supply Agreements Support ECSP Development

Amplitude Energy has already secured gas sales agreements with EnergyAustralia and AGL covering a combined 35 petajoules of the company’s share of ECSP production over four years.

Taking FID satisfies an important condition attached to those agreements.

The East Coast Supply Project is a major part of Amplitude Energy’s strategy to bring additional domestic gas supply into southeastern Australia while making greater use of its existing Athena Gas Plant infrastructure.

With the final investment decision now taken, the project moves from planning and engineering into its development and execution phase, with first gas remaining targeted for 2028.