Located in exploration permit WA-358-P, about 15km west of the Woollybutt oil field and 20km north of the Griffin oil field, Johnson-1 reached a total depth of about 3100m measured depth yesterday. The target reservoir was intersected as prognosed but no shows were encountered.

Johnson-1 targeted an oil prospect at the Top Barrow objective, a formation that has proved successful in the nearby Woollybutt, Griffin and Chinook/Scindian fields, according to Tap.

"The lack of success at Johnson-1 is disappointing, however Tap had mitigated its exposure to this outcome by farming down its equity prior to drilling from 25 percent to 12.5 percent, in return for a carry on the cost of the well," the company said.

WA-358-P Joint Venture participants are Santos (operator and 37.5%), OMV Barrow (25%), Nippon Oil (25%) and Tap (12.5%).