The well, which has a planned total depth of 1920m, is expected to take 14 days to drill and test, according to Cooper.

The Perth-based junior said Silver Sands-1 was a near-field exploration well, located about 1.5km south-east of the Christies oil field, and is targeting the Namur and Birkhead/Hutton oil reservoirs, with the Poolowanna as a secondary target.

Beach is the well operator and holds a 75% stake, while Cooper owns 25%.