The well encountered a gross oil column of 23 metres with 18.6m of net pay in the Macedon Member sandstone reservoir.

Operator BHPB said the significance of the well will be assessed following further evaluation of drilling results with appraisal drilling necessary to determine the size of the find.

Stybarrow-1 is the first well in the current exploration program in WA-255P. The Eskdale-1 well, located about 13km north of Stybarrow-1, will also test the Macedon Member sandstone reservoir, but in a different trap configuration to Stybarrow-1.

Eskdale-1 is expected to spud in early March 2003, after completion of operations on the current well.

The partners have a 50% stake each.