"The Williams 9-1 well is a direct offset to the Thomas 9-1 and Thomas 5-1 wells that have both far surpassed expectations in their first year of production," managing director Anthony Short said.

"This is the sixth well on this prospect and the location has been selected based on the company's 3D seismic data in a similar method to which Thomas 5-1 and Thomas 9-1 were selected."

Advance holds 12.5% in this project, Motherlode Phase II.

The project's operations manager Hibernia Resources reports that Thomas 5-1 and Thomas 9-1 produced at initial rates of more than 250 barrels of oil equivalent per day and are on track to be among the highest producers in the country, so Advance has high hopes for Williams 9-1.

The joint venture has now spudded another offset well, Thomas 9-2.