Woodside's managing director, Mr John Akehurst, said that the company was pursuing two development options for the oil discoveries. The development options under consideration included an Enfield stand-alone facility with a start up in late 2005 or a combined Enfield and Vincent facility with start up in 2006.

Agreement is needed for a combined Enfield-Vincent because Vincent straddles the boundary of WA-271-P and WA-155-P. Discussions have started with the WA-155-P partners to resolve unitisation and joint development issues such as common-user infrastructure.

Woodside is also continuing to evaluate a significant number of other prospects in the WA-271-P permit that have the potential for tie-back to Enfield or Vincent-Enfield product facilities.

In other news, Woodside Petroleum has reported that the Enfield-4 appraisal well was being secured for Tropical Cyclone Chris as a precautionary measure.