Roc Oil said the joint venture is awaiting the full results of crude oil analysis and therefore was too early to calculate specific recovery factors for the field but gave figures between 25 to 35 per cent. As a result, recoverable oil reserves could be in the range of 20 mmbbls to more than 35 mmbls, according to Roc.

The recently drilled Cliff Head-1 discovery well and the successful appraisal well, Cliff Head-2, confirmed the presence of reasonable to excellent reservoir quality sandstones; a minimum gross oil column of 28.5 metres and a net to gross ratio between 60% and 65%. Reservoir porosities up to 28% were encountered in the net reservoir section at Cliff Head- 1 and average net reservoir porosities of 23% and 18% have been calculated for Cliff Head-1 and Cliff Head-2 respectively.

Roc Oil said as a matter of urgency, it, along with their JV partners want to further appraise the Cliff Head discovery and the surrounding area. "Subject to finalising logistical and operational details the joint venture anticipates that the forward strategy for Cliff Head and the surrounding area will include the drilling of several back-to-back wells representing a mix of exploration, appraisal and, if warranted, development wells," the company said. "The joint venture wants to re-start the drilling programme as soon as possible after completing a thorough evaluation of the recently obtained data and accessing a suitable rig slot.

The current expectation is that the next round of drilling will probably commence sometime between May 2002 and January 2003 with the exact timing being determined by rig availability and weather conditions."