Project operator, Roc Oil, is in the process of formalising the rig contract while the joint venture is still analysing the 3D and 2D seismic surveys acquired in WA-325-P and WA-327-P late last year.

Once the prospects are ranked, it is expected that the partners (the same in each licence) will agree to a minimum two-well drilling program converting at least one of the optional wells slots to firm.

“Securing the Ensco rig is another step towards Voyager exploiting the potential of our extensive Perth Basin exploration holdings. Our main challenge in the lead up to drilling will be making sure we can drill the best targets from a range of structures highlighted by the 2003 geophysical surveys,” said Voyager managing director John Begg.

“We will be testing Cliff Head / Jingemia - style geology up to 300km to the northwest of those oil fields and we hold positions in all the relevant offshore acreage in between. So if we make a new discovery in this drilling program the value implications for Voyager could be enormous.”