During the Northern Hemisphere winter, the temperatures in the central Asian nation often fall well below zero degrees Celsius.

Caspian told the market yesterday that the Mailisu III-3 deviated well had reached a bottom-hole depth that was about 200 metres southeast of the surface location, with total depth planned for 750m.

Mailisu III-3, which is Caspian's third well in an 11-well program, is designed to further test oil targets in the Palaeogene limestone reservoirs.

At the first well the company is installing a beam pump following which it will enter production, expected at rates of 20-50 barrels of oil per day.

"The results of the Mailisu-1 have supported our initial model and the further drilling will continue to appraise the field which could prove to be over 8 square kilometres," Caspian said.

"While the wells may produce at modest rates, a high density of drilling could see substantial cumulative flow from the field."

The program's second well will be tested once a gas wellhead is acquired and Mailisu III-3 well completed.

A further three or four appraisal wells are planned for the Mailisu III area, after which Caspian will drill an exploration wildcat on the East Mailisu prospect to a depth of about 500-600 metres.