In Carnarvon Basin permit WA-191-P, the Perth-based midcap said the Fletcher-1 well had so far reached 2103m, where operator Santos was running before drilling the well ahead to total depth.

The well, targeting about 20 million barrels of recoverable oil, is expected to take a further seven days to reach a total depth of 3000m.

Also in the permit, Santos was this morning drilling the Totem-1 exploration well ahead at a depth of 995m.

Drilling is expected to take a further five days to reach a total depth of 2000m.

Totem-1 is targeting oil in a closure at the Calypso-Legendre Formation, similar in style to the Amulet field discovered late last year in which Tap has a 20% interest.

Tap acquired its 8.2% stake in the WA-191-P permit from Woodside in March, which it said would enhance the commercialisation potential of its Amulet oil discovery in the neighbouring permit.

The WA-191-P JV comprises Santos (operator) and Kufpec, both with 33.4% stakes, Nippon Oil Exploration, with 25%, and Tap Oil with 8.2%.

Meanwhile, the Apache Energy-led Harriet Joint Venture has finished drilling the Bambra-8HL and Bambra-8H laterals in TL/1 to their respective total depths and the well is being completed as a producer.

The two wells were designed to develop the oil column in the south-central part of the Bambra field, not being accessed by the current producing wells.

“Initially this well is expected to produce gas, with oil production to follow,” Tap said.

“Production from these wells is expected to commence in early August following completion of the well.”

The Harriet JV has also started producing gas from the Flag Formation in the recently completed Wonnich Deep-1H well in TL/8.

After clean-up, the well was flowing at a stabilised rate of 50 million cubic feet of gas per day, however this has since increased to 65MMcfd.

“Production of gas from the Wonnich Deep-1 Flag sandstone intersection is from a previously unswept compartment of the Wonnich field and will have a positive effect on the gas reserve estimates for the field,” Tap said.

Harriet JV stakeholders are Apache (operator – 68.5%), Kufpec, with 19.2771%, and Tap Oil with 12.2229%.