The National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator (NOPTA) has approved to extend the terms of Melbana Energy’s exploration permits within Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
The WA-55-P and NT/P87 permits are now extended for a period of 18 months to 23 May 2028.
Melbana Energy also now has until 23 May 2025 to complete geological and geotechnical studies, including the seismic interpretation and operational planning, before deciding to acquire new 3D seismic by May 2026.
If elected to do so, Melbana would then have a drill and drop decision to drill two exploration wells by 23 May 2028.
The Hudson prospect sits within both permits, which has been identified as an isolated carbonate build up by the company.
The first exploration well, titled Beehive-1, will be drilled in WA-488-P, scheduled to be done early this year.
The permits are also in shallow water, 20 to 40m deep, and located 300km southwest of Darwin in the NT.
The Hudson prospect holds the potential to contain 395 million barrels of oil. Melbana intends to farmout some of its 100 per cent interest in the licence areas to fund the acquisition of a 3D seismic survey to derisk the prospect.
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