THE Yolla Project
UPDATE
The West Telesto Mobile Offshore Shore Drilling Unit
being transported by a heavy lift vessel.
December 2014
The Yolla gas field is located in the Bass Strait approximately 145 km from Kilcunda on Victoria’s south east
coast and 120 km from the coast of Tasmania. The Yolla project is one component of the broader BassGas
joint venture. Origin is the operating partner of the venture which also includes AWE Limited,
Prize Petroleum and Toyota Tsusho Gas E&P Trefoil Pty Ltd1.
The Yolla Stage 2 project involves drilling two additional wells;
Yolla-5 and Yolla-6. The wells will be incorporated into free
slots in the Yolla platform with connecting flowlines. The drilling
of additional wells will extend the Yolla gas production rates to
continue to meet the gas demands in south east Australia.
West Telesto Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit in
Port Phillip and Western Port Bays
Origin has contracted the West Telesto, a mobile offshore drilling
unit to drill Yolla-5 and Yolla-6 adjacent to the Yolla platform.
The West Telesto is a three-legged, jack-up, cantilever drilling
rig similar in specification to the rig that successfully drilled the
Yolla-3 and Yolla 4 wells on the field in 2004.
The West Telesto measures approximately 70 metres (length) by
75 metres (breadth) with each leg measuring approximately 165
metres (of which approximately 145 metres are used below the
platform hull).
The West Telesto will be visible from the heads and eastern
shore of Port Phillip Bay and the northern and western shores of
Western Port Bay and Phillip and French Islands early in 2015, as
detailed below.
• The West Telesto arrives into Port Phillip Bay around midJanuary 2015 so it can be safely unloaded from the heavy
lift vessel (HLV) that is transporting the rig from Singapore. If
weather conditions are suitable, we expect the West Telesto
will be in Port Phillip Bay for no longer than 48 hours.
• If the weather window is not suitable, the rig is required to
remain in Port Phillip Bay until safe transit to Western Port
can be undertaken. In the event the rig needs to remain
in Port Phillip Bay due to adverse weather, it will establish
its foundation by lowering its three legs to the seafloor
simultaneously. Once the weather conditions improve and
the rig is ready to sail, its legs will lift and the drilling rig will be
towed by two boats back through the heads and into Western
Port Bay.
1. Origin Energy 37.50%, AWE Energy 35% (via subsidiaries), Toyota Tsusho Gas E&P Trefoil 11.25%, Prize Petroleum International 11.25% and Origin Northwest 5% ownership
The sailing route and
unloading points &
anchoring positions for
the West Telesto
• Unloading in Port Phillip Bay and any necessary safe anchoring
will occur at a point roughly 14.5 kms from the nearest shore
line (Latitude 38º 06.0’S, Longitude 144º 52.38’E)
• Once towed out of Port Phillip Bay, the West Telesto will be
positioned in Western Port Bay roughly half way between
Phillip and French Islands (Latitude 38º 26’ 23.95’ S,
Longitude 144º 17’ 24.31’ E)
• In Western Port Bay, the West Telesto’s legs will be lowered
and pinned into position to stabilise the rig while it is fitted
with supplies and equipment for the drilling works at the Yolla
platform. It is anticipated that the West Telesto will remain in
Western Port Bay for around a month before being towed out
of the bay to the Yolla Platform.
Safety and environment
Origin has sought advice from the relevant authorities and
Government agencies regarding the appropriate location for the
West Telesto to be unloaded from the heavy lift vessel in Port
Phillip Bay and positioning in Western Port Bay.
Whilst in Australian waters, the rig contractor will operate in
accordance with Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA)
Marine Order 98 and hold an International Ant-Fouling System
Certificate. The rig will also require Australian Quarantine and
Inspection Service (AQIS) certification & clearance prior to
entering Australian waters.
There is no formal exclusion zone around the rig, however a
‘notice to mariners’ will be issued advising vessels of the heavy lift
vessel’s movements and the rig’s movements when being towed
in and out of both bays. During the period the rig is positioned in
Western Port a guard vessel will be positioned in close standby to
the rig.
All operations will be conducted in accordance with strict
environmental management guidelines established by the
Australian Government. In preparation of the drilling of Yolla-5
and Yolla-6 Origin completed a number of assessments and
studies for an Environment Plan that has been approved by
the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental
Management Authority.
The West Telesto will not be drilling for oil and gas in Port Philip
or Western Port Bays and there will be no installation of drilling
equipment onto the drilling rig while it is located in Port Phillip
Bay.
ABOUT ORIGIN
Origin Energy is the leading Australian integrated
energy company focused on gas and oil exploration and
production, power generation and energy retailing. The
company is a leading producer of gas in eastern Australia.
As part of these activities Origin operates a number
of exploration and production permits in Australia,
predominantly for natural gas.
CONTACT US
If you have any questions about this project, please contact
Email: [email protected]
Visit www.originenergy.com.au for more information.