Woodside Energy Group (ASX:WDS) and joint venture partner ExxonMobil's Australia unit, have approved an AU$350 million drilling campaign in the Bass Strait, to enhance gas supplies to the east coast and delay an expected shortfall by 2028, according to a Monday report by the Australian.

The parties plan to drill five wells in the Turrum and North Turrum gas fields at Bass Strait, with production expected by 2027, the report said.

This move will allow the joint venture's Longford gas processing facility, operated by Exxon, and which processes gas from Bass Strait, to operate until at least 2033, deferring its planned shutdown of one unit in 2029 and full closure by 2033, the report added.

When asked for a comment, Woodside Energy referred to Exxon Mobil to MT Newswires' request for comment.

In an emailed statement to MT Newswires, Simon Younger, Chair of ExxonMobil Australia confirmed that the Gippsland Basin Joint Venture has approved an AU$350 million final investment decision for the Turrum Phase 3 project.

Younger also said the project will use the VALARIS 107 jack-up rig to drill five wells in the Turrum and North Turrum fields, and expects it to start production before winter in 2027.

Shares of Woodside Energy rose 2% on market close Monday.

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