In addition, oil shows were also observed over a 4 metre gross interval in the Lower Qishn Sandstone.

Operator DNO ASA said the forward plan is now to drill ahead to the planned target depth of 2,244 metres. The significance of the oil shows will then be evaluated during a wireline logging program, which is expected to take place towards the end of this week.

The Neheb-1 well is the first of two additional exploration wells the Block 43 Joint Venture agreed to drill following the oil discovery at Nabrajah-1 in March. The well is approximately 17 kilometres ESE from the Nabrajah-1 location and is testing a four-way dip closed structure in the hanging wall immediately south of the Nabrajah fault block.

The participants in this well are DNO ASA 50% (operator), Oil Search (Yemen) 25%, First Calgary Petroleums 10% and The Yemen Company 15%.