The Harriet joint venture, comprising Apache (68.5%), Kufpec(19.2771%) and Tap Oil (12.2229%), said they brought the Gibson/South Plato oil fields into production this week.

Tap said Gibson-1 was presently producing at a stabilised rate of around 8,400 barrels per day (bpd) while South Plato-1 is at 12,600 bpd, making a combined rate of over 20,000 bpd.

"This is better than the previously forecast combined production of 8-10, 000 bpd but will likely be choked back to an optimal rate over the next few weeks as the wells settle in," Tap said.

The Gibson/South Plato Oil fields are located 4 kilometres to the south west of Simpson Oil Field and are produced via one remotely controlled mini platform located between the fields. The oil is piped to the Simpson platforms and then to the Varanus Island production infrastructure.

Tap said the development was delayed by a month due to weather and "pipeline stabilisation matters" and is expected to be over the initial $24 million budget to the tune of $4 million.

Tap also told the market that the Harriet Joint Venture was currently planning for the development of the Victoria Area Development comprising of the Little Sandy, Pedirka, and Victoria Oil Fields and possibly the Hoover Oil Field, which lies approximately 5kms south west of the Gibson/South Plato Development.

Tap anticipates that this development will be approved by the Joint Venture with production possible by later this year.

The Ensco 56 rig returns to the Simpson area in mid July. Tap said the plan is to drill four wells, namely Simpson-4, South Simpson-1, South Tanami-1 and Tirari-1.

A fifth exploration well, South East Simpson-1, may be drilled contingent on the results of the South Simpson wells. All wells target the Flag Sandstone which produces oil at the Simpson and Tanami fields.

Participants in the Harriet Joint Venture are Tap Oil (12.2229%), Apache Energy (Operator) 68.5%, Kufpec Australia (19.2771%).