Innamincka Petroleum has stepped out of its comfort zone in the proven Cooper-Eromanga Basin by taking a small stake in a promising lease in the Bass Strait. On Monday, Innamincka said it would earn a 5 per cent stake in the T18/P exploration permit by covering $5 million worth of exploration costs on the lease. There are two enticing leads identified on the project that, if successful, could prompt a re-rating of Innamincka. Project operator Origin Energy is set to begin a two-well program at the T18/P permit later this month. Origin will be following up on the earlier Trefoil gas-condensate discovery, as well as drilling the Rockhopper/Gentoo structure. Independent assessments have estimated the lease could hold original gas in place of more than 1.2 trillion cubic feet. Innamincka has launched a share purchase plan offering shareholders the chance to top up their holding for no more than 20¢ a share, with the plan to raise up to $10 million.