Chevron expands exploration acreage off Western Australia

Chevron Australia acquired exploration interests in three offshore blocks located in the Northern Carnarvon Basin off the Western Australia coast.

Chevron Australia managing director Nigel Hearne said this new acreage strengthens Chevron’s position in Australia’s premier hydrocarbon basin where there is an established network of production infrastructure, including the Chevron-operated Gorgon and Wheatstone projects.

“Offshore Western Australia is a global focus area for Chevron and these new exploration blocks add to our already significant gas position as the largest resource holder and liquefaction owner,” Hearne said.

He added that Chevron Australia has discovered around 50 trillion cubic feet of gas resources, and through collaboration, the company hopes to commercialize this gas through the timely and efficient use of existing equity or third-party infrastructure.

There are currently 11 LNG trains in operation in Western Australia with a combined liquefaction capacity of over 46 million tons per annum of LNG. Chevron holds the largest infrastructure with 15.8 mtpa capacity.

Blocks WA-528-P, WA-529-P and WA-530-P cover 23,170 square kilometers and are located approximately 220 km northwest of Dampier off the coast of Western Australia. Through its affiliate, Chevron will be the operator with a 50 percent interest and Woodside Energy will hold the remaining 50 percent interest.