One of the partners in the joint venture, Roc Oil, said oil-water contact had not been seen in the well and the discovery had excellent reservoir characteristics as well as good quality oil. The well will plugged and abandoned as an oil discovery with further studies to be undertaken to determine its commerciality, Roc Oil said.

The four participants in the Chinese joint venture are Bligh Oil & Minerals ( current operator) 40%, Roc Oil China Ltd (designated operator) 25%, Petsec Energy Ltd 25% and First Australian Resources Ltd 10%.