Emperor Energy (ASX:EMP) Receives NOPSEMA Approval for Judith-2 Appraisal Well Drilling

Aditi Sarkar

30 September 2026 03:10 PM AEST

Emperor Energy (ASX:EMP) Receives NOPSEMA Approval for Judith-2 Appraisal Well Drilling

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Key Highlights

Emperor Energy Ltd (ASX:EMP) received NOPSEMA approval for the Environmental Plan required to drill the Judith-2 Appraisal Well offshore Gippsland Basin.
The approval represents a key regulatory milestone ahead of planned drilling targeted for April 2027.
The Judith-2 well will appraise the 166 Bcf 2C Contingent Recoverable Gas Resource identified within the Judith Structure.
The company has secured a term sheet agreement for the Valaris 107 jack-up drilling rig, which is expected to become available following completion of its current commitments in March 2027.

Emperor Energy Ltd (ASX:EMP) is an Australian energy company focused on advancing its offshore gas assets, including the Judith Gas Field in the Gippsland Basin, Victoria. The company’s shares were trading at AUD 0.115, up AUD 0.005 or 4.545% during the session. Emperor Energy has announced approval of the Judith-2 Appraisal Well Drilling Environment Plan by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA), marking a regulatory milestone ahead of planned drilling activities.

Judith-2 Appraisal Well Approval

Emperor Energy confirmed that NOPSEMA has approved the Environmental Plan for drilling the Judith-2 Appraisal Well. The company stated that acceptance of the Environmental Plan represents the key drilling approval requirement for progressing the well.

The approval timing aligns with the company’s previously announced agreement to secure the Valaris 107 jack-up drilling rig for the Judith-2 well. The rig is currently operating in the offshore Gippsland Basin and is expected to become available after completing its existing commitments in March 2027.

Emperor Energy is targeting drilling of the Judith-2 Appraisal Well in April 2027.

Judith-2 Well Objectives

The Judith-2 Appraisal Well is designed to evaluate the 166 Bcf 2C Contingent Recoverable Gas Resource discovered by Shell in 1989 within the Judith Structure.

The well will also test deeper Longtom gas sands that have not previously been penetrated within the Judith structure. These sands contain a P50 Prospective Recoverable Gas Resource of 142 Bcf and form part of the broader Judith structure resource assessment.

The company is using the appraisal well to gather additional geological and reservoir information to support evaluation of the Judith gas opportunity.

Judith Gas Resource Overview

Independent assessment by GaffneyCline has outlined contingent and prospective resource estimates for the Judith area.

The Judith Structure includes gross contingent resources across multiple Emperor Sand formations. The reported best estimate 2C Contingent Resource totals 165.7 Bcf, with low estimate 1C resources of 49.6 Bcf and high estimate 3C resources of 259.8 Bcf.

The Greater Judith Area also includes prospective resource estimates across several structural compartments. The total P50 Prospective Resource estimate for the Judith and Longtom Sandstones is reported at 1.859 Tcf.

These estimates remain subject to further appraisal, evaluation and development activities.

Drilling Preparation and Development Pathway

The approval of the Judith-2 Environmental Plan allows Emperor Energy to progress preparations for the appraisal well.

The company has aligned drilling plans with the expected availability of the Valaris 107 rig, which is currently operating within the Gippsland Basin.

The Judith-2 program represents the next stage in evaluating the Judith Structure following the historical discovery well and resource assessments.

Project Location and Strategic Focus

The Judith Gas Field is located offshore in the Gippsland Basin, Victoria, an established hydrocarbon region with existing offshore energy infrastructure.

Emperor Energy continues to focus on advancing the Judith Gas Field through appraisal activities designed to improve understanding of the resource base and support future development considerations.

The company has confirmed that previous resource assumptions and technical parameters supporting the reported estimates remain unchanged.

Key Takeaways

Emperor Energy’s NOPSEMA approval for the Judith-2 Appraisal Well represents a significant regulatory step ahead of planned drilling in April 2027. The appraisal well is designed to evaluate the existing Judith gas resource and test deeper prospective gas sands. Progress towards drilling will depend on execution of the planned program, rig availability and results from future appraisal activities.

FAQs

Q: What approval did Emperor Energy receive for Judith-2?

A: Emperor Energy received NOPSEMA approval for the Judith-2 Appraisal Well Drilling Environment Plan.

Q: When is the Judith-2 Appraisal Well expected to be drilled?

A: Drilling is targeted for April 2027, subject to project execution and rig availability.

Q: What resource will Judith-2 appraise?

A: Judith-2 will appraise the 166 Bcf 2C Contingent Recoverable Gas Resource within the Judith Structure.

Q: What drilling rig has Emperor Energy secured?

A: The company has secured a term sheet agreement for the Valaris 107 jack-up drilling rig.

Q: What additional targets will Judith-2 investigate?

A: The well will also explore deeper Longtom gas sands, which have an independently assessed P50 Prospective Recoverable Gas Resource of 142 Bcf.

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