Australia's Pilot Energy Limited has increased its interest in the WA 481P offshore exploration permit off W. Australia to 100% following receipt
of final approval from the National Offshore Petroleum Tenures Administrator (NOPTA) of Pilot’s acquisition of the 40% interest previously held by Key Petroleum Limited.
This final approval confirms Pilot as the 100% owner and operator of the WA 481P offshore exploration permit, Pilot said.
Pilot announced on March 28, 2022 the results of the Mid West Integrated Renewables and Hydrogen Project feasibility studies which included the WA 481P Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Study undertaken by CO2Tech, the Company’s principal feasibility consultant for CCS.
The WA 481P CCS Study and the additional CCS feasibility study covering the Cliff Head Oil Field in the adjacent WA 31L production license area confirmed the CCS potential for both areas, Pilot said.
"NOPTA’s final approval of the transfer of a 40% registered interest in WA 481P now provides Pilot with full control to progress both the petroleum exploration work program which is highly prospective for natural gas and enables Pilot to seek the necessary approvals to also pursue the CCS potential of the permit area," Pilot said.
"As previously announced, following the completion of the WA-31L CCS Feasibility Study, the Company expects that the WA-31L Joint Venture will progress the regulatory process with NOPTA seeking the required approval to have the Cliff Head Oil Field reservoir declared a Greenhouse Gas Storage Formation. In parallel with this process, Pilot will also be seeking to secure a retention license over the Frankland Gas Discovery in the WA 481P license.," Pilot said.
According to Pilot, the Frankland discovery could supply natural gas supply to the Mid West Blue Hydrogen Project and provide an additional location to pursue CCS within the WA 481P permit area.