Recent drilling in the Beetaloo Basin has yielded promising results for the emerging shale gas play. These positive outcomes have enabled the stakeholders in the region to secure funding and establish a range of non-binding commercial agreements. Notably, Beetaloo wells have exhibited initial production rates over 30 days (IP30), spanning from 1.1 to 5.2 million cubic feet per day (Mmcfpd), and there is an evident trend of increasing frac stages with each new well as operators continuously optimize the fracking stimulation. This research paper presents comprehensive Beetaloo modelling results, encompassing well type curves, a comparative analysis with the renowned Marcellus shale play in the United States (frequently used as a reference point for Beetaloo), production forecasts, economic assessments, and an examination of potential commercialization pathways. Based on our modelling findings, Beetaloo’s estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) per well ranges between 7-14 billion cubic feet (bcf), with deeper wells into the Velkerri B Shale demonstrating relatively higher productivity. We anticipate that with full-scale development, Beetaloo could attain peak production rates of 1 billion cubic feet per day (bcf/d), supported by a peak annual drilling rate averaging 50-60 wells. Overall, the Beetaloo Basin possesses the potential to recover close to 8 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of low CO2 gas, opening doors to the possibility of LNG exports reaching up to 4.5 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) and domestic gas supplies of around 100 terajoules per day (TJ/d) limited to the existing infrastructure capacity connecting to the East Coast gas markets.

Amidst a nationwide struggle to revitalize exploration and development activity in the oil and gas industry, the Perth Basin emerges as a beacon of hope. During 2003-2005, the basin experienced a peak in exploration activity, averaging an impressive 13 wells drilled per year. However, mirroring the broader trend in the country, the Perth Basin saw a decline, with an annual average of just three exploration wells over 2006-2022. Nevertheless, a turnaround is in progress, with the basin set to witness the drilling of 10 exploration and appraisal wells this year, with further increases anticipated based on operators' plans. The turning point for the basin can be traced back to Waitsia discovery in 2014 which rekindled interest and activity in the basin, resulting in six distinct gas discoveries and a doubling of the basin's estimated gas resources since then. Against the backdrop of projected gas shortfalls in Western Australia's domestic market, players in the basin have ambitious development plans amid rising gas prices. We expect that the Perth Basin could contribute up to 30% of the domestic gas supplies by 2030, compared to the modest 4% in 2022. Notably, a substantial portion of WA’s new gas supplies are expected to originate from the Perth Basin. This research paper examines the resurgence of activity and interest in the Perth Basin, driven by surging valuations and its growing significance within the domestic gas market. It also examines the commercialization pathways in light of the updated ban on onshore gas exports in Western Australia.

The Australian Offshore Oil and Gas industry has been and remains the biggest user of Australian seafarers. It has been this way for the past 25 years. Regrettably the Government attention to the sustainability of the maritime industry has been non-existent. We find ourselves today in a perilous state with an ageing and depleted workforce. In today’s competitive world we can no longer rely on importing these skills and risk severe damage to both productivity and OH&S.
The OSSA (www.offshorespecialistships.com ) paper has focused on two of the program themes being:
-Access to the right skills including STEM. (Noting that STEM is a critical part of both Deck and Engineer Officer training.)
-Improving and securing supply chain connectivity.
We see these two items are critical elements for the Maritime requirements of the Offshore sector for Oil and Gas export plus both construction and demobilisation of offshore facilities, pilotage of vessels and the requirement of internal maritime knowledge within organisations.
The focus on this document will be twofold:
1: The current critical lack of qualified deck and engineer officers and how this can be rectified. The lack of domestic training has recently been identified by both MIAL (Maritime Industry Australia Ltd) and AREEA (Australian Resources & Energy Employer Association) as being at a crisis point.
2: The lack of an Australian strategic fleet (including a viable second registry) and the consequent vulnerability of our critical maritime export and import supply chains.
We believe that both these theme items are mutually dependent and are in urgent need of the attention of both the wider Gas Export Industry and Federal and State Governments.