“The well continues to encounter gas shows in interbedded sandstones and mudstones to the current depth of the well,” Strike said.

“These shows are in the primary objective of the well and will be evaluated at the end of the drilling.”

Drilling will continue through the primary objective Wilcox Formation sands to a planned total depth of 3,658 metres, Strike said.

Strike Oil has a 26.25% working interest in the project, while US-based Cypress E&P Corporation is the operator.

Last Friday, Strike said Shefcik-1, which spudded on November 2, had encountered gas shows to a depth of 3,245 metres, which would be evaluated at a later date.

The Mesquite B Prospect contains a potential 10-15 billion cubic feet of gas, Strike said.

The company's three previous Texas wells have been dry holes.