Australia’s Dorado oilfield set for 2026 startup

The field is one of more than 100 potential prospects in the Bedout basin, says Carnarvon CEO Adrian Cook

The Dorado oilfield in Western Australia’s (WA’s) Bedout basin is on track for FID this year and first production in early 2026, Adrian Cook, CEO of Australian independent Carnarvon, tells Petroleum Economist. The field will initially produce 75,000-100,000bl/d and would pay back its capital investment within 12 months at current oil prices, he continues. That expected quick return on investment is a major benefit for Dorado. And global concerns about security of fuel supply will also help the development, Cook says. Dorado will use a floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel, and its crude is likely to go to Singaporean refineries as BP has closed the Kwinana refinery near P