Tap yesterday said Hector-1, the first of three deviated wells in production licence TL/6 to be drilled from a single surface location, was drilled towards a target 1.7km southwest of this location.

But after yesterday being drilled ahead to a planned total vertical depth, which was not specified, logging data showed reservoirs in the prospect to be water bearing, with insufficient hydrocarbon indications, the company said.

Tap said the well would now be plugged back to begin the sidetrack drilling of Agamemnon-1, the second well in the program.

Agamemnon-1, designed to explore for oil in the Flag Sandstones, will be drilled as a deviated well to a target about 1.8km to the southeast from the same surface location.

The Harriet joint venture comprises Apache Northwest (68.5%), Kufpec Australia (19.2771%) and Tap (Harriet) (12.2229%).