The Melbourne-based junior told the market yesterday that the Napier High-1 well was designed to test the top Strzelecki formation encountered in other Lakes-operated wells in the region.

Secondary potential has been identified as the biodegraded oil encountered in Lakes’ most recently-drilled well, Alberton-1, which was suspended due to rig problems.

Lakes said it will re-enter Alberton-1 once it has finished with Napier-1 and drill the well to a depth of 1200m.

Elsewhere in the basin, Lakes said 3D seismic crew and equipment is due to arrive at the Wombat site in the next few days, with the survey expected to begin on Monday.

“This will be the first 3D seismic shot onshore Gippsland and we believe it will help us better understand the Wombat structure,” Lakes said.

“The Wombat structure has flowed gas to surface as well as recovering oil and condensate.”