Starting this Sunday, the rig will spud exploration well Flying Foam in offshore permit WA-327-P. Drilling is expected to take 10 days to reach the planned total depth of 1,431 metres, Roc said.
The Flying Foam prospect, about 30km north-northwest of Hadda-1, has recoverable oil potential of 30 million barrels.
The partners believe it is in a newly discovered fairway revealed by the Hadda-1 well drilled in March. While Hadda was unsuccessful, Flying Foam is believed to have much better reservoir conditions.
Interests in Flying Foam are now: Roc Oil (WA) Pty Ltd 37.5% (operator), Apache Northwest Pty Ltd 37.5%, Arc Energy 20% and Wandoo Petroleum Pty Ltd 5%.
After Flying Foam, the rig will move to WA-286P to install the Cliff Head A production platform, following which it will start drilling production wells.
Early next year, ENSCO 67 will lift the platform topsides into position. Development drilling will then restart and continue until all wells are completed, the company said.
Once Cliff Head development drilling finishes, the rig will be used for further exploration drilling in the offshore Perth Basin, including the drilling of Frankland-1 in WA-286-P.
