The first of the wells will further appraise the Cliff Head Oil Field while a second exploration well will test one of the several undrilled prospects in the vicinity of the field, according to the JV.

If the appraisal well at Cliff Head is successful, the JV will consider drilling a further appraisal/exploration well in the field as one of the three contingent wells that are to be included in the program.

One of the two other contingent wells will likely target one of the two untested structures, which straddles WA-280P and TP/15 permit boundary, the JV said.

Participants include Roc Oil (operator), Mitsui, Arc Energy, Norwest Energy, Australian Worldwide Exploration and Voyager Energy.