Georgina Energy PLC (LSE:GEX) subsidiary, Westmarket Oil & Gas, has received formal approval from Western Australia’s Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration for its well management plan as it prepares for drilling at the Hussar project.
The approval covers key aspects such as drilling, well suspension, plug and abandonment, and site maintenance.
The plan’s approval comes with conditions. Helium extraction is only allowed when it occurs mixed with hydrocarbons, and Westmarket must provide proof of valid insurance before starting drilling at the Hussar-2 well.
Final drilling permission will only be granted once Westmarket obtains approval for expanded environmental management plans, a regulatory requirement under Western Australian law.
Until then, preparation of the well site, including repairs to the airstrip and access roads, as well as building drilling pads and water wells, cannot begin.
CEO Anthony Hamilton said: "Georgina's operations team has worked on all the required obligations for the Hussar drilling permit approval in cooperation with the indigenous community representatives.
"We await approval for our extended environmental plan, and look forward to receiving the final drilling approval once all obligations and approvals have been obtained."