After plugging and abandoning Moondah-1 in TP/15, the ENSCO 67 jack-up rig moved to the Frankland-1 wildcat location last Friday.

But bad weather meant it was not possible to spud the well before the drilling rig contract expired.

As a result, the ENSCO 67 was released, concluding the partners’ offshore Perth Basin exploration and development drilling program.

Arc Energy managing director Eric Streitberg had said the Frankland prospect looked very similar to Cliff Head, which is currently producing 12,000 barrels of oil per day.

“Whilst we are disappointed that we have not been able to drill the Frankland and Perseverance wells, we look forward to being able to negotiate the return of the rig in a more favourable future weather window,” Streitberg said this morning.

“Arc has also now commenced its onshore drilling program with the spudding of the Jingemia 8 well to be followed by a series of development/appraisal and exploration wells.”

The WA-286-P joint venture comprises Roc Oil (operator with a 37.5% stake), AWE (27.5%), Wandoo Petroleum (24%), Arc Energy (6%) and CIECO Exploration & Production (5%).