This follows a similar result at the previous well in the program, Wei 6-12W-1, which was drilled at the end of January and found to be a duster.

Drilled to a total depth of 2510m, the latest well encountered only minor residual oil shows and so will be plugged and abandoned, according to Roc.

Wei 6-12E-1A was a test of a structural-stratigraphic prospect located 1.7km east of the Wei 6-12S-1 oil discovery.

Despite the disappointing news, Roc said the result does not impact on the development plans for the nearby Wei 6-12 and Wei 6-12 South oil fields.

The JV, which also involves Horizon Oil, Petsec Energy and First Australian Resources, is now reviewing whether or not to drill the next planned well Wei 12-2N-1, due to what Roc described as "a variety of operational reasons".