As a result, the company said the well had been plugged and abandoned.

The data will be evaluated in conjunction with the 3D seismic survey results in order to see whether the field should be appraised further.

Spudded on February 12, the Frankland-2 well was drilled to a total depth of 2330m by the Premium Wilcraft jack-up rig.

Roc said the top of the reservoir was encountered deep to prognosis and the gas column was thicker than prognosed, but the reservoir was of poorer quality than that encountered last year in Frankland-1, 1km away.

Now the rig is being moved to drill the Dunsborough-2 well, also in WA-286-P, which will appraise last year's Dunsborough oil discovery.

Joining Roc, as operator with a 37.5% stake in WA-286P, is Arc Energy (30%), AWE Oil (27.5%), CIECO Exploration & Production (5%).