The Victorian State Electricity Commission drilled a number of holes in the Alberton and Port Alberta area in the 1980's, which encountered these sands described by some geologists as 'tar sands'. Woodside reportedly also encountered shows of the sands in drilling on Sunday Island to the south of Alberton.

Cores of the sands have been cut to be analysed and it is expected the results will confirm the presence of residual oil in the scout hole. If this is confirmed then the results would indicate that a large charge of oil has reached the shore in the Alberton area from the offshore hydrocarbon generating kitchens.

Lakes said its next step would be to find areas that may be protected from fresh water flushing and may host intact oil pools.