There was every intention to drill test wells as long ago as 2006 so that your statement is erroneous that there was a deliberate plan to confine exploration to seismic surveying.
From Empire Energy PR dated 15 November 2006:
Empire/GSLM had planned to commence drilling in August of 2006, however delays in the issuance of the necessary licenses by the Australian Government as well as delay in shipment of the drill rig have caused the schedule to be moved back. We now have identified and obtained the necessary licenses for a number of sites and plan to begin drilling in early 2007.
The money was used to do seismic research. In the early years there was no intent to drill a well to bring up oil only to develop the sites.
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