Australian Oil Company in high gear as operations focus on boosting Surat Basin output | Stockhead
The company is taking steps to further increase output in the Surat Basin after production from Emu Apple-1 hit 15-20bpd. Australian Oil is taking steps to further increase output in the Surat Basin after production from Emu Apple-1 hit 15-20bpd.
Australian Oil is moving to further boost oil production in Queensland. Pic: Getty ImagesEmu Apple-1 now producing 15-20 bopdUpgrades underway to lift output furtherRiverslea and Major production plans advanceSpecial Report:Australian Oil Company is producing oil from its Emu Apple-1 well in the Surat Basin, Queensland, and is working to further boost production. Emu Apple-1 well within PL 264 is producing between 15 and 20 barrels of dry oil per day with zero water following the acid wash in July 2026, contrasting with the 30% water cut prior to intervention operations. Australian Oil Company (ASX:AOK)says that an operational oversight in measuring fluid levels means that levels are 100m above the pump intake down hole, indicating capacity for higher pump rates that could increase production. It has now completed field surveys on the Emu Apple-2 and Emu Apple-3 wells to scope similar interventions and planned installation of hydraulic pumping units to boost production. “Our teams have made significant operational strides this period,” managing director Kane Marshall said. “The sustained improvement in Emu Apple-1 production post-intervention and the commencement of wide-ranging upgrades across our facilities underscore our commitment to efficient field management and value creation. “We look forward to translating these successes to our broader Surat Basin portfolio as we grow output and position for the next phase of our company’s evolution. ”Learnings from the operational success at Emu Apple-1 will be applied to further prospecting and development throughout the PL 264 licence, targeting incremental production gains and ongoing reservoir characterisation. The Riverslea-3 wellhead. Pic: Australian Oil CompanyRiverslea and Major developmentOver at PL 30, the company is scheduling upgrades to the Riverslea production facilities including remediation of both evaporation ponds, road and gate upgrades, and installation of a new water separation tank. These enhancements are tailored to support the restart of production, ensuring robust infrastructure as output ramps up. Key lessons from the Emu Apple interventions are informing the company’s strategy at Riverslea with plans to bring the field back into production using a hydraulic pumping unit and targeting Riverslea-3 for free flow output. Available load out pumps and flowlines from Emu Apple will be strategically redeployed to facilitate field reactivation. Exploration efforts are also advancing across adjoining areas within Greater Riverslea, with fieldwork focusing on improving access and enabling the completion of prospect and leads mapping. At the Major gas field in PL 512, the company has made significant progress towards enabling production. The Boxley pipeline connection point has been assessed with custody points for raw gas meter installation identified and finalising of emergency shutdown value communication points, laying a clear pathway for gas delivery to the Silver Springs gas plant. AOK has found the Major-4 wellhead and supporting equipment to be in sound operational condition, supporting plans to bring the field back into production in the near term. This article was developed in collaboration with Australian Oil Company, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing. This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.