The Perth-based operator said this morning that the decision to P&aA the well was made following the completion of an extensive wireline evaluation program.

Preliminary interpretation of drilling, wireline and pressure data indicate Perseverance-1 encountered a 31m gas-saturated sand, in which 28m was net gas reservoir, according to Roc.

“The gas accumulation is at the top of the objective Permian section, interpreted to the Dongara Sandstone and possibly the upper Irwin River Coal Measures,” it said.

“Reservoir quality appears to be poor to moderate.”

Looking ahead, the joint venture plans to start drilling the final well in the three-well program, Dunsborough-1, in WA-286-P, which is located about 50km southeast of Perseverance-1 and 25km northwest of Frankland-1, later this week.

It follows the program’s previous well, Frankland-1, which found gas but it has not yet been determined whether this discovery is commercial.

Last week, joint venture partner Arc Energy told the Excellence in Upstream Energy conference in Sydney that it was optimistic both of the wells would eventually prove to be commercial.

Arc managing director Eric Streitberg said it appeared that Perseverance was a “substantial gas discovery”.

Today Roc estimated the structure contained 20-50 billion cubic feet of in-place gas.

“But it’s my personal view that it will be stranded gas for some time yet,” Streitberg said.

And unlike his joint venture partners, Streitberg said he believed the previous well in the program, Frankland-1, had made a commercial gas find.

“I know there’s a divergence of views on that, but I believe the discovery will be economic.”

Interests in WA-325-P are Roc (37.5%), Apache Northwest (37.5%), Arc (20%) and Wandoo Petroleum (5%).