Cooper Energy will conduct development drilling in Commonwealth waters of the Otway Basin, the company and offshore regulator NOPSEMA confirm.
The proposal covers drilling the Annie-2 development well within the existing VIC/P44 licence area, located roughly 25–40 km offshore from Peterborough in water about 56 m deep.
Activities outlined in the plan include pre-drilling surveys, inspection and maintenance operations, and full well construction works — including subsea tree installation, testing, completions and shut-in procedures.
Work is expected to take place within a temporary operational zone defined by a 3km radius around the wellsite. A 500m safety zone around the mobile offshore drilling unit will be in place during drilling, with a similar long-term safety zone potentially established once the well is completed and suspended.
Drilling is slated to commence as early as 1 April 2026, with activities running 24/7.
After drilling, the Annie-2 well will remain shut-in until it is tied into existing infrastructure via a new flowline, which is currently proposed for Q2 2028.