DCA Rig 7 is a custom-made ADS 1500 rig with a freestanding derrick. It has a top drive that can drill to a total depth of 1500 metres in an 8½-inch hole, the company said.

Empire previously contracted DCA’s smaller Rig 6, to drill three wells in the onshore Carnarvon Basin.

These wells included Brooke-1 and Tess-1, also in EP 435, company managing director Craig Marshall said.

“Empire’s and DCA’s previous drilling experience in the Exmouth Sub Basin has settled “turnkey drilling rates” and certain “turnkey operational rates,” Marshall said.

“Empire will supply on-site engineering supervision and the mobile drilling camp.”

The drilling program, approved by the Department of Industry and Resources, allows a specialist service company to conduct open-hole drill-stem testing of any oil prospective reservoir target, according to Empire.

With a planned total depth of 1350 metres, Dune-1 will target the Birdrong Sandstone at a depth of 1300 metres.

Partners in Dune-1 are Rough Range Oil Pty Ltd (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Empire Oil & Gas - 75%) and Australian Oil Company (farminee - 25%).