EXXONMOBIL has made a surprise play for a deep-water exploration permit within close proximity of its production platforms in Australia’s Bass Strait, writes Russell Searancke.

The US supermajor said it recently completed the acquisition from private company Liberty Petroleum of a 100% interest in Block Vic/P70 in the Gippsland basin. The permit already contains several discoveries including the 2008 Dory gas field.