The field has been offline since early January while Eni addressed problems experienced during an emergency shutdown of equipment in response to a cyclone in the region.

In an operational update yesterday, co-venturer Tap Oil said significant progress had been made to allow production to restart at the 5000 barrel per day field in the next one to two weeks.

On Sunday, the JV disconnected and sailed the Four Vanguard floating, production storage and offtake vessel away from the field due to the arrival of Cyclone Nicholas.

“Issues associated with emergency shutdown equipment aboard the Four Vanguard FPSO have been addressed during the shut-in period with ancillary maintenance also conducted and proactive engagement with regulatory authorities,” Tap said.

“Production is anticipated to recommence once all necessary maintenance and

operational verifications have been conducted and the threat of Tropical Cyclone

Nicholas subsides.”

Tap reiterated that the disruption would not affect the tie-back of the Woollybutt South development well, Woollybutt-4H, to production facilities in late May.

The Woollybutt Field is located in permit WA-25-L about 40km west of Barrow Island, where Chevron has brought its oil field back online following a temporary halt in production due to Cyclone Nicholas.

About 9000 barrels of oil production per day was stopped at Barrow and Thevenard Islands on Sunday, with non-essential staff evacuated as the cyclone approached.

Nicholas passed well to the west of the islands and DowJones reported that Chevron said staff have now returned and full production is expected by the end of the day.