Shell started drilling the wildcat on Block WA-384-P in October last year using the semi-submersible drilling rig Noble Clyde Boudreaux.

At the time, Shell forecast the well to take between 60 and 90 days to complete but that timetable was set back considerably following delays due to bad weather and issues with the rigs blow-out preventer.

Speaking at a media lunch in Perth this week, WHL Energy managing director Steve Noske said he had heard the well was now nearing total depth.

“From