In the Nockatunga Block of PL 50, the company drilled the Maxwell-5 appraisal well to a total depth of 1001m after encountering good oil shows in the Murta formation.

Co-venturer Magellan Petroleum said the well, the second in a two-well drilling program, was being cased and suspended as a future oil producer.

The first well, Burundi-1, was abandoned after failing to encounter hydrocarbons.

Santos holds a 61.006% interest in the two wells, while Magellan has 38.994%.

Santos has had success elsewhere in the Cooper Oil Project, this time with its Jackson-46 well in the Naccowlah Block.

The well, which was also suspended as a future oil producer, concludes the current round of drilling for this joint venture.

Drilling of five new Westbourne infill wells at Jackson is expected to start shortly.

Interests in the Naccowlah Block are Santos (operator – 55.5%), Beach Petroleum (38.5%), Drillsearch Energy (2%), Australian Gasfields (2%) and Inland Oil (2%).