An evaluation of wireline data found the West Triton rig intersected the Top Latrobe reservoir at 1562m. The well has average porosity over the interval of 24%.

3D said the reservoirs for two other prognosed oil accumulations that were intersected in West Seahorse-1 showed no moveable oil.

Following the suspension of West Seahorse-3, Wardie-1 would be drilled from the same location, the company said.

3D Oil is the operator and owns 100% of the VIC/P57 permit.

Elsewhere in Bass Strait, on Sunday May 4, 3D finished its Bass Basin seismic acquisition program in its 100%-held T41/P block.

"Acquisition progress was excellent and there was no weather down-time during the program," the company said.

"The 2200km survey has been completed well ahead of schedule and under budget."

3D Oil holds 100% of T41/P which covers 2805 square kilometres in water depths generally less than 80m.

"The T41/P permit is in a very lightly explored part of the Bass Basin with considerable exploration potential," the company said.

"3D Oil's new seismic data has been concentrated in the southwest of the permit, where previous

mapping has identified four leads.

"The only well in the permit, Chat-1 (1986), drilled into a breached trap but encountered several hundred metres of residual hydrocarbon shows, confirming the presence of a working source kitchen. The leads are all located in a good location to receive hydrocarbon charge.

"Mapping of the new data will be used to mature the leads into drillable prospects, which will be candidates for future drilling."