On 1 July 2020 Leigh Creek Energy Ltd was announced as preferred tender for two bid blocks, CO2019-A and CO2019-B, located in the Cooper-Eromanga Basins. The blocks, which will be granted as petroleum exploration licences PELA 675 and PELA 676 were released as part of the 2019 South Australian Acreage Release and will be valid for a period of five years once formally awarded.     PELA 675 covers an area of approximately 9,900 sq km, and PELA 676 covers around 2,011 sq km. Leigh Creek has committed to a work programme covering the first five-year term of both permits. For PELA 675 these include:      150 km of new 2D seismic data      acquisition    150 sq km of new 3D seismic data      acquisition    Drilling of two wells     Work commitments for PELA 676 include:      150 sq km of new 3D seismic data      acquisition     Drilling of three wells.     Both permits are covered by 2D seismic data, with a small portion of 3D seismic data covering the southern part of PELA 676, which has been key in identifying leads in the Northern Oil Fairway. Both permits demonstrate the same stratigraphic sequences as the Western Flank Oil Fairway, with any exploration wells expected to target the Birkhead Formation and Namur Sandstone.     Leigh Creek reported that it plans to farm down part of the permits in order to maximise its exposure across the Cooper-Eromanga Basins. Both blocks are now required to have signed Native Title agreements before they can be formally awarded.     CO2019-A and CO2019-B are two of six blocks to be awarded by the South Australian Government following the successful 2019 bid round in the Cooper and Otway Basins. Six companies have been awarded interest along with Leigh Creek, including Beach Energy Ltd, Cooper Energy, Oilex/Armour Energy (Cordillo), Gidgee Energy and Vintage Energy. The total acreage awarded covers around 15,000 sq km.
Oilex sub Cordillo has been successful in its application for block CO2019-A & B, in the Northern O&G Fairway of the Eromanga Basin. Commitments include 250 sq km of 3D seismic + 2 wells in 5 years. The block is part of Oilex's proposed sale to Armour Energy.