The Ironbark-1 exploration well in WA-359-P offshore Western Australia has been drilled to its total depth and did not encounter any hydrocarbon shows, Sydney-listed Cue Energy said on December 29.  

“The Ironbark-1 exploration well in WA-359-P in the Carnarvon basin, offshore Western Australia has been drilled to a total depth of 5,618 m,” Cue said. “The primary target interval was intersected at a depth of 5,275 m, with no significant hydrocarbon shows encountered in any of the target sands.” 

The well will now be plugged and abandoned. When operations are complete, analysis of the well data and results will be undertaken in the coming months to assess the implications for the Deep Mungaroo play, the company added.  

BP has 42.5% interest in the WA-359-P permit containing the prospect and serves as its operator, while Cue has 21.5%, Beach Energy 21% and New Zealand Oil & Gas 15%. The companies got regulatory clearance for the Ironbark-1 well in September.