The block lies in an under-explored area that has received little recent attention, adjacent to the prolific Carnarvon basin hydrocarbon province to the south-west. The town of Port Hedland lies 180 kilometers to the south. Water depths range from 120 to 265 metres and the block covers a large area of 4,955 square kilometers.
Three wells have been drilled in the block to date. The two wells, Phoenix-1 and Phoenix-2, drilled on the large Phoenix structure both intersected extensive gas columns within low porosity mid Triassic reservoir. In particular, Phoenix-1 recorded 110 metres of net gas-bearing section, however further work is required to determine reservoir parameters and whether the discovery could flow at commercial rates.
Carnarvon Petroleum has agreed to a firm commitment to reprocess 2,500 kilometers of seismic and carry out technical studies for the first three years estimated to cost $500,000. Following the completion of this work, Carnarvon Petroleum intends to acquire seismic and drill at least one well in the following three year indicative programme.
