Origin Energy Says Bassgas Output Is Reduced by Well Shutdown

By Angela Macdonald-Smith

Nov. 19 (Bloomberg) -- Origin Energy Ltd., Australia's second-biggest energy retailer, said production at the BassGas natural gas project off the southeast coast has been cut by about two-thirds because of a well shutdown.

The Yolla-4 well halted production due to the automatic shutdown of an underwater valve, Sydney-based Origin said today in a statement to the Australian stock exchange. Production should return to normal by the end of December, it said.

Australian Worldwide Exploration Ltd. and CalEnergy Gas (Australia) Ltd. have stakes in BassGas.

To contact the reporter on this story: Angela Macdonald-Smith in Sydney at amacdonaldsm@bloomberg.net