Taunton-3 well is an appraisal of the 3-5 million barrel Taunton-2 oil discovery made in December last year, which intersected a 15m gross oil column.
It is located at the northeastern end of the field, 1.6km northeast of Taunton-2 and if the well successfully confirms the commerciality of the pool, rapid development is planned, with first production expected during 2004.
Taunton-3 is expected to take about 6 days to reach a total depth of 1430m and evaluate results.
Regardless of outcome, the Taunton-3 well will be abandoned, as it is more cost-effective overall to drill new production wells.
Participants in the Taunton-3 well are Apache Oil Australia 80 % (operator), Pan Pacific Petroleum 10 %, Tap (Shelfal) 10 %.
Junior Pan Pacific is also involved in the three wells, with the 10-30mmbo Hyssop-1 (PPP 10%) and 20-50mmbo Mosman-1 (PPP 23%) following after Taunton-3.
