Georgina Energy (GEX) has completed all civil engineering and site preparation works at its Hussar project in Western Australia and is working with Ensign Energy Services to finalise plans for mobilising the Ensign Rig 970, as weather-related road closures continue to restrict heavy vehicle access.
The company said all contractors have now demobilised from the site following completion of the necessary works. However, ongoing restrictions on heavy vehicles and variable weather conditions have delayed the arrival of the drilling rig.
To address these challenges, Georgina's consultants, Aztech Well Construction and Ingenua, are assessing alternative access routes. One option involves travelling through Leonora along the Great Central Road, then north along the David Carnegie Highway to the Mangkili turn-off and onwards to the Hussar site via the Eagle Highway.
Westmarket Oil & Gas Pty Ltd (WMOG) has already renovated the Eagle Highway route from the Mangkili turn-off to the proposed Hussar 2 wellsite, along with the local airstrip. It also plans to install emergency runway lighting.
Meanwhile, Georgina clarified that neither it nor WMOG has received any notification of AU$10 million in costs associated with using council roads. The company said its contractors continue to use these roads, while Ingenua is engaging with local authorities and other stakeholders over a proposed Road User Agreement.
Separately, Georgina is progressing plans for a seismic programme that will use lightweight, environmentally non-invasive equipment, removing the need for heavy vehicle access or extensive ground preparation.
The proposed survey will use modern vibration sources and wireless data collection technology, avoiding the need to clear seismic lines or install extended geophone cables. Fieldwork is expected to take about 30 days, subject to regulatory and Traditional Owner cultural heritage approvals, which the company expects shortly.
Georgina Energy's Chief Executive Officer Anthony Hamilton said: “This company anticipates that road closures due to unseasonal weather conditions will be overcome with careful planning and drilling Hussar for its Helium and Hydrogen potential into a full field development remains our priority target. We look forward to making further announcements in due course.”
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Completion of site preparation works marks progress towards drilling at Hussar, although rig mobilisation remains dependent on resolving access restrictions. The assessment of alternative routes and planned lightweight seismic survey could help maintain project momentum while the company works towards drilling its helium and hydrogen targets.