Eastern Gas Mobilises Rig 34 for Venus-2H Horizontal Well Spudding Monday
Eastern Gas mobilises Silver City Rig 34 as Venus-2H drilling nears
Eastern Gas Corporation (ASX: EGA) has commenced mobilisation of Silver City Drilling Rig 34 and associated equipment for the Venus-2H horizontal appraisal well at its 100%-owned Project Venus (ATP 2051) in Queensland’s Surat Basin. Drilling is scheduled to commence Monday, 10 August 2026, marking the final stage of preparation for the appraisal program.
What’s happening on the ground
The mobilisation program follows a defined operational sequence ahead of the scheduled spud date:
- Transport of drilling rig, ancillary equipment and support facilities to the Venus-2H wellsite
- Rig assembly on site
- Pre-spud inspections, equipment testing and operational readiness checks
- Spud (drilling commencement) scheduled for Monday, 10 August 2026, subject to completion of these activities and normal operational conditions
Key operational details:
- Rig: Silver City Drilling Rig 34
- Well: Venus-2H (horizontal appraisal well)
- Project: Project Venus (ATP 2051), 100%-owned
- Basin: Surat Basin (Walloon CSG fairway), Queensland
- Scheduled spud: 10 August 2026
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Why Venus-2H matters — the appraisal pilot explained
A horizontal appraisal well extends outward from a previously drilled vertical well to assess reservoir connectivity and gather production data. The existing Venus-1 vertical well has been worked over and prepared for the appraisal program.
Venus-2H has been designed to intersect Venus-1 and establish an integrated production pilot for subsequent production testing. An integrated production pilot allows the developer to gather flow and production data from both wells operating together — a key de-risking milestone on the path toward commercialisation. This step provides empirical performance data that informs reservoir modelling and development planning.
| Element | What it is | Why it matters to the pilot |
|---|---|---|
| Venus-1 (vertical well) | Initial well drilled to assess CSG potential; now worked over and prepared for integration | Provides vertical reservoir access and integration point for the pilot system |
| Venus-2H (horizontal well) | Horizontal well designed to intersect Venus-1 | Extends lateral reservoir contact and enables integrated production testing |
| Integrated production pilot | Combined well system designed to test reservoir connectivity and flow performance | Delivers empirical production data to de-risk development assumptions and inform commercialisation pathway |
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Company backdrop and what comes next
Eastern Gas Corporation is an Australian natural gas explorer and developer focused on supplying east coast domestic markets, with tenements in the Surat Basin (Walloon CSG fairway) and Cooper Basin. The company positions its exploration and development activities within the broader context of Australia’s energy security and domestic gas supply requirements.
The company expects to provide a further operational update once Venus-2H has commenced drilling.
David Spring, Managing Director
“The commencement of rig mobilisation marks the final stage of preparation for the Venus-2H drilling program. Over the coming days, the drilling rig and associated equipment will be transported to site, assembled and tested ahead of the scheduled commencement of drilling next Monday. We look forward to keeping shareholders informed as the drilling and appraisal program progresses.”
The 10 August spud date represents the next material operational milestone for shareholders monitoring the Venus appraisal program.
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