Unlocking Unconventional Oil & Gas Resources in the Taroom Trough

Eastern States Energy is a privately owned Australian company focused on developing large-scale, strategically located unconventional fields close to existing infrastructure.

352 km²

Controlled Acreage

>1 Tcf

EUR Gas Potential (P50)

>100m bbls

EUR Oil Potential (P50)

18 yrs

Production History

About ESE

Built on Decades of Unconventional Expertise

Founded in 2021, ESE was established by the principals behind AJ Lucas — leveraging decades of expertise in unconventional gas development, drilling and pipeline engineering.

ESE brings a corporate relationship with AJ Lucas Services, with established drilling and completion expertise and a track record that includes Cuadrilla Resources in the UK, Sydney Gas in NSW, and ATP 651 in Queensland's Surat Basin.

2021

ESE founded by Andy & David Lukas and Julian Lavigne

2021–22

Work to identify and target Taroom Trough acreage

2023

Extensive technical work and negotiations

2025

Green Valley 1 drilled — 351 PJ 2C certified

2026

Technical planning for 2027 drilling campaign

Highlights

Foundation Permian acreage with ideal geological conditions

High pore pressure and a 100–160 bbl/mmscfd oil-to-gas ratio supporting significant gas and liquids resource.

Large Controlled Acreage in the Liquids-Rich Eastern Flank

352 km² on the eastern flank of the Taroom Trough, proven to produce high-quality liquids and gas.

Significant Resource Potential Backed by Long Production History

Estimated >1 Tcf EUR gas potential and >100 MMbbls of liquids (P50) across two resource packages – Cabawin and Canyon.

Target Reservoirs Support Strong Production Rates

Reservoir properties compare favourably to successful unconventional plays that currently produce in Australian and North America.

Close to Infrastructure Connecting to High-Value Markets

~40 km from the SWQP, connects into the SE Queensland pipeline network.

Experienced Subsurface and Drilling Team

Technical team with significant unconventional experience, backed by AJ Lucas heritage.

Government Supporting Development

QLD State Government fast-tracking the Taroom Trough Development Plan.

Our Assets

Taroom Trough Acreage

ESE's permits sit at the southern end of the Taroom Trough within the extensive Bowen Basin — a continuous, stacked unconventional play in the oil-to-wet-gas window.

ATP2036

ESE 100% – OPERATOR

Area

298 km²

Status

Renewal application and PCA 358 lodged

Exploration permit adjacent to PL1(2). Features Green Valley 1 well drilled in 2025, confirming 351 PJ of 2C CSG resources.

PL1(2)

ESE 83% – OPERATOR

Area

54 km²

Status

Production licence — enables early sales

Production licence on the eastern margin. Includes the historic Cabawin Field with 18 years of production history.

Permit Location Map — Taroom Trough, Queensland

Stratigraphic Column / Cross-Section Chart

Subsurface Overview

Stacked Unconventional Targets

Unconventional Petroleum System

All 11 criteria of the Sonnenberg & Meckel 2016 checklist satisfied.

Stacked Targets

Cabawin, Canyon, Tasmania Sands plus Lower Burunga / Tinowon upside.

Premium Light Crude

50+ API gravity crude, commands a premium price, suitable for aviation.

Additional Upside

Walloon Coal Measures

ESE drilled Green Valley 1 in 2025, demonstrating significant net pay of Walloon coals. Booked certified contingent resource of 351 PJ (2C) — an extension of Australia's most prolific and successful CSG basin.

117 PJ

351 PJ

586 PJ