The rig has been moved 36 metres to the west of the original hole location in preparation for the re-spud as Woollybutt-5A. The new well will use a changed casing program to ameliorate the drilling risk in this section of the well. The remainder of the program will remain essentially unchanged, according to Tap.

Woollybutt-5 is in permit WA-25-L in the Barrow Sub-basin. It is about four kilometres south of the Woollybutt-3A well.

The Woollybutt-5 well is designed to test the southern extent of the Woollybutt South Oil Field.

The Woollybutt area comprises two fields, the Woollybutt Oil Field which is presently producing around 16,000 bopd via two wells, namely Woollybutt-1ST1 and 2AST3, with a third well, Scalybutt-1H due to commence production in mid December 2005, and to the south the Woollybutt South Oil Field.

The results of the Woollybutt-5A well will be used in determining the development options for this southern field. The Woollybutt South Oil Field presently has two wells drilled in it – Woollybutt-3 and Woollybutt-4 – both of which discovered oil.

Woollybutt-5A is expected to take another 3 to 4 weeks to drill.

WA-25-L Joint Venture Participants are Eni Australia Ltd (operator) 65%, Mobil Australia Resource Co Pty Ltd 20% and Tap West Pty Ltd 15%.