Tap said the well is at about 3020m and although a significant reservoir section was penetrated, preliminary log interpretation indicated no hydrocarbons.

"The lack of success in the primary objective at Dibbler-1 is disappointing but not inconsistent with the high-risk nature of exploration for this play type," the company said.

According to Tap, Apache will test a secondary objective in the well before it reaches total depth of 3595m in about three days.

Drilling of Dibbler-1 satisfies the sixth-year well commitment for the permit, which also contains the undeveloped Kultarr discovery.

Tap said a discovery at Dibbler could be developed with Kultarr through the adjacent Harriet Joint Venture infrastructure.

Dibbler-1 is just 215m from the John Brookes gas pipeline.

Participants in WA-334-P are Apache (80%) and Tap (20%).