Shell Australia Pty Ltd spudded the Bratwurst 1 exploration well in exploration permit AC/P64, located in the Caswell Sub-basin, Browse Basin, on 29 September 2019. The well was drilled by the "Ocean Apex" S/S, operated by Diamond Offshore. In early December 2019 the well was concluded, with the rig leaving the wellsite on 5 December 2019.  In its environmental submission to the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Management Authority (NOPSEMA), which was published in January 2019, Shell reported that the well would be located in a water depth of around 155 m. Following two requests for further information by NOPSEMA on 20 February 2019 and 17 April 2019, the environmental plan was accepted on 15 May 2019. The well was subsequently spudded as planned, being scheduled for Q3 2019.  The well formed part of the term one work commitments in AC/P64, requiring a well to be drilled in the first three years of the permit, by September 2021. In the event of a discovery, tie-back to the Shell operated Prelude facilities, which lie around 150 km southwest, offers a potential avenue for commercialisation.  There are two, previously-drilled, wells within the permit area - Maret 1, drilled in 1991 and Circinus 1, drilled in 1999. Oil and gas shows were observed at Maret 1, while Circinus 1 was dry.    AC/P64, which covers an area of 500 sq km, was awarded on 20 September 2018. Shell Australia Pty Ltd holds 100% interest and operatorship of the permit.
Australia (Caswell Sub-basin (Browse B.)) Prelude