Bass to Acquire Vanessa Gas Field and Launches Capital Raise
ASX Announcement
Release date: 14 May 2025
Bass to acquire Vanessa Gas Field - Launches capital raise to
support acquisition & growth initiatives
Highlights:
•
Bass is to acquire a 100% interest in PPL 268 and adjoining PRL 135, which together contain
the Vanessa gas field, from Beach Energy
•
The Vanessa acquisition includes a shut-in gas production well, a gas processing facility and
a 5 km gas pipeline connected into the existing Cooper Basin gas gathering network
•
The acquisition provides Bass the potential to commence gas sales positioning the
company as a gas producer in Australia’s growing and evolving energy market
•
Bass considers that the field also contains significant upside within un-accessed
conventional and tight gas zones in the Toolachee and Patchawarra formations that are
expected to produce following fracture stimulation
•
Vanessa, located in the heart of Bass’ 100% owned PEL 182, is ideally situated to acquire
data to confirm the commercial potential of Deep Coals contained within the permit
without the need to drill a dedicated well in the first instance
•
Bass announces raising $3.1m via a 1-for-3 non-renounceable entitlement offer at $0.032
per share with attaching option to fund the acquisition and other growth initiatives
•
Bass directors and management have indicated they will participate in the offer
Bass Oil Limited (ASX:BAS) (“Bass” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce it is to acquire a 100%
interest in PPL 268 and adjoining PRL 135 which together comprise the Vanessa gas field, from Beach
Energy Ltd (“Beach”).
Bass will assume future abandonment liabilities for the well and facility with assistance being
provided by Beach. The acquisition is subject to a customary regulatory approval process.
In addition, Bass is also pleased to announce the launch of a 1-for-3 non-renounceable entitlement
offer to eligible shareholders at an issue price of $0.032 per share (“Rights Issue Shares”) to raise up
to $3.1 million before costs (the “Rights Issue”). Rights Issue participants will also receive one (1)
free attaching option for every two (2) shares subscribed for, exercisable at $0.05 on or before 31
May 2028 (“Rights Issue Options”).
Managing Director, Tino Guglielmo commented:
“We are extremely pleased with this acquisition as the Vanessa asset presents an opportunity for the
Company to accelerate its entry into the gas business. Whilst Vanessa contains some remaining
recoverable conventional gas, there is significant tight gas potential that could be accessed by
fracture stimulation.
We are planning to restart conventional gas production at Vanessa. In the meantime, the team is
evaluating the commercial potential of the tight gas in the well and the gas contained within the
deep coals which were penetrated by the Vanessa well.
Bass Oil Limited
ACN: 008 694 817
Level 5, 11-19 Bank Pl.,
Melbourne 3000
Victoria, Australia
T + 61 3 9927 3000
F + 61 3 9614 6533
admin@bassoil.com.au
www.bassoil.com.au
This acquisition represents another important milestone in our strategy to become a mid-sized oil
and gas producer and continues to demonstrate the significant growth potential that Bass’ Cooper
Basin portfolio provides.
This capital raise supports a focused, high-impact work program that lays the foundation for
meaningful production growth and long-term value creation for our shareholders”
Vanessa Acquisition Summary
Bass is pleased to announce it is to acquire a 100% interest in PPL 268 and adjoining PRL 135 which
together comprise the Vanessa gas field, from Beach Energy Ltd. The acquisition includes a shut-in
gas production well, processing equipment and a 5-kilometre pipeline connecting the field to the
Cooper Basin gas transmission network at Moolion North. The Beach Energy Transaction remains
subject to customary conditions precedent relating to relevant regulatory approvals.
Capital required is approximately A$1.3 million to recommission the Vanessa gas production facility
and return the well to production making the Company’s first gas sales into the east coast gas market
and to provide for the lodgement of a security deposit in favour of the South Australian Department
of Energy and Minerals to satisfy a rehabilitation bond requirement for the acquisition.
The Vanessa gas field contains a quantity of remaining recoverable conventional gas in the Epsilon
formation. In addition, providing upside, there is significant untested conventional and tight gas
potential in both the Toolachee and Patchawarra formations that could be accessed by fracture
stimulation.
The Vanessa gas field is also ideally situated to test the commercialisation potential of the large deep
coal resource contained in PEL 182. SLB has completed a geomechanical study on the PEL 182 Deep
Coal asset with results released to the ASX in November 2024. The study used the Vanessa 1 well
as the ‘type-well’ to build the geomechanical model.
Figure 1: Map of Bass permit PEL 182 displaying Vanessa gas field
This acquisition will enable Bass to commence the next phase of the study, which will focus on well
and fracture stimulation design for economic exploitation of this significant resource. It will also
allow field testing and data acquisition without the significant cost burden of having to drill a new
well.
The second phase of the SLB study will assess the economic viability of exploiting gas contained in
the deep coal seams. The study will develop an economic model for future gas production. By using
the Vanessa well and production infrastructure, Bass hopes to quickly establish the commercial
potential of its PEL 182 deep coal asset, prove commerciality and reduce further development
timelines.
.
Figure 2: Total net Permian coal thickness in the Patchawarra Trough.
Other Growth Initiatives
Indonesia - Bunian-6 Drilling
Capital required is ~A$1m to fund drilling of the Bunian 6 development well at the Tangai-Sukananti
oil field in the South Sumatra Basin, with the objective of increasing Indonesian oil production from
approximately 135 bopd (Bass share) to 435 bopd (Bass share). Bass anticipates recovering the
investment within six months through increased production and sales revenue.
In addition, the results of the Bunian 6 well will assist in determining the existence of a westerly
extension of the Bunian field.
PRLs 245 and 246 – Kiwi 1
The Kiwi asset alone is a transformative opportunity for Bass, with future development poised to
unlock substantial value. As previously advised, Bass has commenced the FEED study for field
development and is negotiating the various commercial agreements required to move to a Final
Investment Decision (FID) in 2025.
The Company is reviewing a number of funding alternatives to bring this valuable project into
production. Amongst those alternatives is the taking advantage of Bass 100% ownership of this field
to farm down a partial equity interest in return for a partial or full carry through the construction
and commissioning phase of the project.
Triassic Gas Study – (Bass 100%)
The Company announced on 10 February 2025, that it is undertaking a study to quantify the
significant gas potential that has been identified in the Triassic zone in the northern Cooper Basin
by the recent gas test at Kiwi and previous exploration success in the area. The capital required for
this study is approximately A$0.12 million.
Use of Funds
The funds raised from the Rights Issue will be used by the Company as follows:
Use of Funds
Amount (AUD)
Acquisition of the Vanessa gas field including recommissioning and provision of the rehabilitation bond
$1,300,000
Drilling Bunian 6 well to boost Indonesian oil production
$1,000,000
Kiwi field development FEED study
$100,000
Study to quantify the Triassic gas potential in Bass northern Cooper Basin tenements
$120,000
Deep Coal Feasibility Study (Phase 2) by SLB
$100,000
Ongoing working capital
$240,000
Expenses related to the Rights Issue
$240,000
Total
$3,100,000
Rights Issue
The Rights Issue will comprise an issue of up to 96,844,053 new fully-paid ordinary Bass shares
(“Rights Issue Shares”) at an issue price of $0.032 per share to raise up to $3,100,000 (before costs).
Additionally, the Company will grant one (1) free attaching option for every two (2) shares subscribed
for, which will be exercisable at $0.05 on or before 31 May 2028. The Rights Issue will be offered to
shareholders with a registered address in Australia or New Zealand as at the record date (see the
Rights Issue Timetable below) (“Eligible Shareholders”).
The Offer Price represents 25.6% discount to the 15-day volume weighted average trading price of
the Company’s shares for the period ending 13 May 2025.
PAC Partners Securities Pty Ltd (“PAC”) and Adelaide Equity Partners Limited T/A AE Advisors (“AE”)
have agreed to act as Joint Lead Manager to the Rights Issue and will seek to place any shortfall of
the Rights Issue.
Eligible Shareholders can choose to take up all, part, or none of their entitlements. Furthermore, the
Rights Issue will include a facility under which Eligible Shareholders who take up their entitlement
in full may also apply for additional Rights Issue Shares in the Rights Issue that were not taken up by
other Eligible Shareholders. There is no guarantee that applicants under this facility will receive all
or any of the additional Rights Issue Shares for which they apply.
The Rights Issue is non-renounceable and accordingly there will be no trading of rights on the ASX.
All Rights Issue Shares and Rights Issue Options will rank equally with existing fully paid ordinary
shares and options on issue in the Company. The issue of the Rights Issue shares and placement of
any shortfall to the Rights Issue to non-related parties of the Company is not subject to shareholder
approval.
Rights Issue Timetable
The proposed timetable for the Rights Issue is set out below:
Event
Date
Rights Issue announcement date and lodgement of Prospectus with ASIC and ASX
14 May 2025
Existing Shares quoted ex-rights
19 May 2025
Record Date to determine Entitlements under the Rights Issue
7:00pm (AEST) 20 May 2025
Prospectus with Entitlement and Acceptance Form despatched to Eligible
Shareholders
23 May 2025
Acceptances open
23 May 2025
Closing Date for acceptances
13 June 2025
New Securities are quoted for ASX trading on a deferred settlement basis
16 June 2025
Company notifies ASX of under subscriptions
18 June 2025
Issue of Rights Issue Shares and Rights Issue Options
19 June 2025
Despatch of holding statements
20 June 2025
The dates are indicative only and the Company reserves the right to vary the dates, including the
right to extend the Closing Date, or to withdraw the Rights Issue (subject to the Corporations Act
2001 (Cth) and the ASX Listing Rules). Any extension of the Closing Date will have a consequential
effect on the date for the allotment of Rights Issue Shares.
Bass will send a Prospectus and Entitlement and Acceptance Form by 23 May 2025 to Eligible
Shareholders.
This announcement is not a Prospectus. Any person considering acquiring securities under the Rights
Issue should read the Prospectus carefully. Applications for shares under the Rights Issue may only
be made using the Entitlement and Acceptance Form to be attached to or accompanying the
Prospectus. Securities will only be issued on the basis of an Entitlement and Acceptance Form issued
together with the Prospectus.
This announcement has been approved for release by the Board of Bass Oil Limited.
For further information please contact:
Tino Guglielmo
Managing Director
Bass Oil Limited
Ph: +61 3 9927 3000
Email: tino.guglielmo@bassoil.com.au
About Bass Oil Limited:
Bass Oil Limited (ASX:BAS) (www.bassoil.com.au) is an Australian-based oil and gas exploration and production company
focused on assets in prolific onshore basins across Australia. The company holds a strategic portfolio that includes highimpact gas exploration and development projects in Australia’s Cooper Basin.
The Company is actively pursuing growth through targeted drilling programs, field development initiatives, and technical
studies to unlock value from conventional and unconventional hydrocarbon resources. The Company is committed to
delivering sustainable shareholder returns through disciplined capital management and operational efficiency.
In addition, Bass is operator of the 55% interest in a South Sumatra Basin KSO with fields called Bunian and Tangai. BAS
generates cashflow, is debt free and committed to value creation by leveraging its skilled team, operating capability and
relationships in Australia and Indonesia.
Appendix
Vanessa background and upside potential
Vanessa 1/1ST1 was drilled in 2007 and discovered gas in the Toolachee, Epsilon and Patchawarra
formations. In 2017/2018 it was completed for production, with surface facilities installed and a
pipeline connection made into the Cooper Basin gas transport infrastructure at Moolion North.
The infrastructure includes lease pipework, separator, water disposal pond, office and other
facilities that deliver significant value to Bass.
Vanessa is a partially depleted conventional gas field contained in PPL 268 and adjoining PRL 135.
PPL 268 contains the suspended Vanessa 1/1ST1 gas well and associated gas production
infrastructure (Figure 3 displays infrastructure in place at the well).
The well initially flowed unstimulated at ~3.5 MMscf/d and declined to ~0.5 to 1 MMscf/d at time
of shut-in due to it being at minimum rate to lift liquids. Minimal water was produced from the
well and the condensate yield was ~10 barrels/MMscf. The CO2 content of the gas is ~28%.
The well produced ~1.1Bcf from 2018 to 2020 from the Toolachee and Epsilon formations only. The
best estimated remaining recoverable gas is up to 0.4 BCF. Recent shut-in tubing head pressure
observations suggest some potential upside, with tight gas recharge into the conventional
reservoirs evident. Vanessa contains significant tight gas potential in the well that could be
accessed by fracture stimulation at low cost.
In summary, the Vanessa asset presents a number of growth opportunities for Bass, including:
•
•
•
•
•
The Company’s maiden gas sales after recommissioning the well and facilities
The opportunity to increase gas production, cashflow and reserves by accessing and
stimulation of existing and new zones
Allowing the acquisition of vital data from Diagnostic Fracture Injection Tests (DFIT) and
fracture stimulation of deep Permian coals to inform the commercial potential this
resource
Providing a host wellbore for a future horizontal or high angle well to target the deep coals
Vanessa is ideally located to become a gas production hub for future developments in the
area
Figure 3: Gas/liquids separator in place at Vanessa facility.
Notes on Calculation of Reserves and Resources
All reserves and resources are estimated by deterministic estimation methodologies consistent
with the definitions and guidelines in the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) 2018 Petroleum
Resources Management System (PRMS).
Under the SPE PRMS guidelines, “Reserves are those quantities of petroleum anticipated to be
commercially recoverable by application of development projects to known accumulations from a
given date forward under defined conditions”.
Contingent Resources are “those quantities of petroleum estimated, as of a given date, to be
potentially recoverable from known accumulations by application of development projects, but
which are not currently considered to be commercially recoverable owing to one or more
contingencies”.
For the Worrior and Padulla oil fields in the Cooper Basin, decline curve analysis (DCA) was used to
determine the remaining technically recoverable volumes with an economic model overlay to
determine the economically recoverable reserves. The reserves are net of crude oil lease fuel.
Qualified Petroleum Reserves and Resources Evaluator Statement
The information contained in this report regarding the Bass Oil Limited reserves and contingent
resources is based on and fairly represents information and supporting documentation reviewed
by Mr Giustino Guglielmo who is an employee of Bass Oil Limited and holds a Bachelor of
Engineering (Mech). He is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) and a Fellow of
the Institution of Engineers Australia (FIEAust) and as such is qualified in accordance with ASX
listing rule 5.4.1 and has consented to the inclusion of this information in the form and context in
which it appears.
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