Perth-based Tap said operator Apache and its partners had intersected the top of the targeted formation about 3m high to prognosis with the Bambra East-1 well.

The well had encountered “excellent quality reservoir section with a hydrocarbon contact consistent with the original Bambra-1 well”.

“Bambra East-1 is a very encouraging result for the Bambra East appraisal project. The results from the currently drilling Bambra East-2 well will be integrated into the gas field evaluation to better determine the gas resource and optimal development,” said Tap late last week.

Bambra East-1 was drilled to a total depth of about 2550m measured depth and then plugged back and abandoned as planned. Bambra East-2 spudded on December 27 and should now have reached its planned total depth.

The Bambra East-1 and 2 wells are appraising the Bambra East gas field – located in Production Licence TL/1 – with the objectives of the two deviated wells, which were drilled from a common surface location, being about 1km north and south, respectively, from the surface location.

The Bambra field was developed in 2005 via a long reach horizontal multi-lateral (Bambra-7H) from the Harriet-Bravo facilities.

TL/1 JV partners are Apache Northwest (operator with a 68.5% stake), Kufpec Australia (19.2771%), and Tap Oil (12.2229%).