Both Geordie-1 in PEL 88 and Strickland-1 in PEL 100 were plugged and abandoned after failing to encounter commercial hydrocarbons. Fairbridge-1, also in PEL 100, was cased and suspended for future production testing but Cooper Energy was uncertain whether the well would be a producer.

The Ensign-5 workover rig is expected to arrive at the Fairbridge-1 location in May to undertake three cased-hole production tests in the Birkhead, Upper Poolowanna and Lower Poolowanna.

Meanwhile, Cooper expects to spud the Worrior-4 in PPL207 early next month. The well is designed to appraise and develop the eastern flank of the Worrior oil field.

Cooper has also brought forward drilling of Dalray-1 in PEL93, which it expects to spud in May. Dalray-1 is an exploration well updip from the recent Padulla discovery in PEL113.

However, Cooper is facing rig delays at the Kurnia-1 well in South Madura. The designated rig is currently undertaking fishing operations on its current well and is then expected to drill a sidetrack.

These operations are expected to take two weeks to complete. The rig will then be moved to an additional well on the field, which is expected to take 45 days. In addition, Cooper said the lead-time for casing was expected to be a minimum of three months.

Cooper expects the rig will be mobilised in late May/June, with drilling to begin several weeks after that period.

Pre-AFE approval has been secured for the Kurnia-1 well from BP MIGAS with additional approvals expected to be progressed in the next few weeks.