The unforeseen difficulties follow the first sidetrack attempt that was plugged after it failed to move from the original hole.
The NW Paua-1 ST3 well is drilling ahead and has reached a depth of 2283m, more than 60% of its planned depth of 3600m.
The well targets the Toro and Digimu sandstones in a more optimal location on the known hanging-wall structure than the Paua-1x well that was drilled in the mid 1990s, according to Oil Search.
Participants in NW Paua are Oil Search at 52.5% and ExxonMobil at 47.5%.
Meanwhile, Oil Search made 328m drilling progress at its Shahd SE-1 well in the Western Desert of Egypt.
The well is drilling ahead in a 12.25-inch hole and is at a depth of 2205m, nearing its planned total depth of 2970m.
The Shahd South East prospect lies in the East Ras Qattara concession and is a tilted fault block adjacent to the producing Shahd oil field.
The well is targeting the Bahariya and Kharita formation which has productive reservoirs elsewhere in East Ras Qattara licence.
