The company says the operator, Apache Energy, would complete wireline logging before plugging and abandoning the well.

The Ocean Patriot rig is expected to be released from the site by the end of this week and will move to Vic/P56 to drill the Culverin and Scimitar prospects in what will be Nexus’ first operated well.

“While the results of Fur Seal-1 are disappointing, the drilling of the well concludes a three-well drilling commitment in the Vic/P54 permit, which was largely funded by Apache,” Nexus managing director Ian Tchacos said.

“The program has resulted in the opportunity to commercialise the Longtom gas discovery and a potential future gas tie-in opportunity at Grayling.”

Participants in Vic/P56 and Fur Seal-1 were: Apache Energy (operator – 62.5%); and Nexus Energy (37.5%).