Total has made a gas discovery with its latest wildcat offshore Western Australia, according to well partner Santos.

The Bassett West-1 probe in permit WA-408-P in the Browse Basin was drilled approximately 475 km north-north- east of Broome. It is also approximately 90 km east-northeast of the Crown-1 discovery, made in adjacent permit WA-274P by Santos in November last year.

Bassett West lies in 368 m (1,207 ft) of water, with the well drilled to a total depth of 5,239 m (17,189 ft). Wireline logging and sampling confirmed 7.5 m (25 ft) of gas pay in Jurassic sandstones on the western flank of the large Bassett structure.

Santos Head of Exploration Bill Ovenden said he was encouraged by the presence of gas with condensate, and the absence of a water leg or gas-water contact. “Further work is required to fully understand the overall resource picture for the Bassett feature,” said Ovenden. “This includes greater clarity on the gas composition and the extent of this gas-bearing interval and additional potential reservoir segments across this large regional structural high.”

Santos holds a 30% interest in WA-408-P, with its partners being Total E&P Australia (50% and operator) and Murphy Oil Corporation (20%).

The next well to be drilled will be on the Dufresne prospect.