Although oil reserves were yet to be calculated for the Mohave structure, estimates for Mohave-1 production were above expectations, the company said.

Mohave-1 is in Harriet joint venture permit TL/6.

After spudding on July 10 from the Victoria platform, the well encountered a 13-metre gross oil column at the top of the Flag Sandstone about 1.9 kilometres north-east of the platform.

The column was 2.8m high to prognosis in an excellent quality reservoir, Tap said.

Mohave-1 will now be sidetracked to drill a horizontal section through the reservoir.

First oil is expected immediately after the drilling of the next exploration bore, Stuart-1, which will be spudded once Mohave-1 has been completed, Tap said.

Results from Mohave-1 bode well for Stuart-1, which will also be drilled from the Victoria Platform and will lie on the same structural trend to the north-east of the Pedirka Field, according to Tap.

The Harriet Joint Venture is Apache Northwest (operator) 68.5%, Kufpec Australia Pty 19.2771%, Tap (Harriet) 12.2229%