Availability of a suitable build rig also contributed to the start of an anticipated 18-day drill at the 2H well, managing director Paul Underwood said.

The work is being done from the Harriet Alpha production platform, 4.6km north-west of the objective. Drilling may reach a deviated depth of 6,303m.

A six metre gas cap over a 6.5m oil column was discovered at the field between Barrow Island and the Montebello Islands in June 2000 during drilling of the exploratory North Alkimos-1.

Tap anticipates gas cap production at 2H may last 8-12 weeks after the three-week drill is completed.

Subsequent oil flow would increase to a maximum of about 2000 bopd, leading to about a one million barrel output during the well’s estimated seven-year production life, Tap estimates.

Participants: Apache Northwest (operator) 68.5%, Kufpec Australia 19.3%, Tap (Harriet) 12.2%.