The well was drilled in 718 metres of water at a location 45 kilometres north-east of the Dalia oilfield, which is currently the focus of development efforts by TotalFinaElf and its Block 17 partners.

TotalFinaElf described the result as "positive" and said that it would be followed by further geological and engineering studies to appraise the structure. The latest well was drilled about 150 kilometres from the Angolan coast.

TotalFinaElf spudded another well on Block 17 immediately after Zinia-1 called Acacia-1 and a further probe, called Hortensia-1 is also under way.

A total of 13 discoveries have been made on Block 17, including the Girassol field, which is currently producing oil at a rate of about 200,000 barrels per day.

TotalFinaElf operates block 17 with a 40% stake. ExxonMobil holds 20%, BP 16.67%, Statoil 13.33% and Norsk Hydro 10%.