Spudded at the beginning of this month, the well reached a total depth of 2333m over the weekend, following which wireline logs were run.

However, the drilling and log data indicated that the well had not intersected any hydrocarbons and so the decision was made to abandon the well.

“As stated at the beginning of the well, although stratigraphic traps can offer high reward they invariably carry increased risk,” managing director John Doran said.

“In this case, the risk won over the reward.”

Later this week, the Premium ‘Murmanskaya’ jack-up drilling rig will spud the Wei 6-12E-1, the second in the three-well drilling programme, which will test a structural-stratigraphic prospect 1.7km east of the Wei 6-12S-1 oil discovery.

The third well in the program will be Wei 12-2-2, designed to appraise a structure in the southern part of the block that tested oil in 1993.

Roc has flagged a possible fourth well in the form of a sidetrack/step-out, depending on whether one of the first three wells made a discovery requiring immediate appraisal.

The drilling program is due to be completed by the end of this quarter.

Interests in Block 22-12 are Roc, as operator with 40%, Horizon with 30%, Petsec with 25% and FAR with 5%.