Sellicks-2 is the first of a two-well program designed to appraise the Sellicks oil field.

It follows on from the field’s wildcat discovery well, drilled in July 2003. So far, Sellicks-1 has produced more than 250,000 barrels of oil to date from the Patchawarra Formation.

But Beach said new 3D seismic mapping suggested this discovery well may not be optimally located on the field. The two appraisal wells are designed to test the potential for undrained oil up-dip and offset from Sellicks-1.

Both wells will be deviated from a single well site neighbouring the established field facility.

Sellicks-2 is expected to take 11 days to reach a planned total depth of 2147m.

The PPL 204 joint venture comprises operator Beach, which holds a 75% stake and Cooper Energy (25%).