The development drilling is the last major task to be undertaken prior to first gas being produced by the BassGas Project by the end of Q3, 2004, with the Ensco 102 rig stationed beside the Yolla “A” platform for the drilling of the development wells.

The Joint Venture received final regulatory approval earlier this month to proceed with the final installation and commissioning stage of the project.

During late February, the Yolla production platform was transported to the Bass Strait and was installed at the Yolla field location, keeping the project on track for gas production by the end of the September quarter.

In addition to the platform milestone, the BassGas joint venture has completed the offshore pipeline and shore crossing at Kilcunda and is nearing completion of the onshore pipelines.

Progress is also being made on the construction at the Lang Lang gas plant.

The Yolla field is located within the Tasmanian offshore production licence, T/L1 approximately 95 kilometres southwest of Wilson’s Promontory and 110 kilometres north of the Tasmanian coastline.

Following completion of the development drilling phase, the Ensco 102 drilling rig will be mobilised to drill the Trefoil-1 exploration well, approximately 40 kilometres west of the Yolla “A” platform.

Participants in T/L 1 are AWE Petroleum Pty Ltd 30%, Origin Energy Resources Limited (Operator) 32.5%, CalEnergy (Australia) Limited 20%, Wandoo Petroleum 12.5% and Origin Energy Northwest Limited 5%.