The interval being tested – the Montara formation over the depth 3595m to 3608m – is the top sand intersected in the well and has not previously been tested in this field.

The main reservoir section is in pressure communication with this top sand and is not being tested because it was previously tested in the Crux-1 well, according to Nexus.

“The condensate ratios recorded from this test confirm that the gas will produce a condensate-to-gas ratio of approximately 35 barrels to one million standard cubic feet when processed by the facilities planned for the Crux liquids project,” the company said.

“The information gathered from the production test will be used in the detailed design of the production facilities for the Crux liquids project. Once gas and condensate samples have been taken, the well will be suspended and retained as a production well.”

Crux-3 is the first of three wells that will be drilled in and near Crux over the next three months.

Suspension of Crux-3 and shifting the rig to the Crux-4 location should be completed within the next week, according to Nexus. The third well will be drilled in the adjoining AC-P41 permit to test the Libra prospect (Nexus 50%, Shell 50%).

The Crux gas-condensate field is in AC-P23 in the northern Browse Basin and western Timor Sea. Interests in the permit are Nexus 85% and Osaka Gas 15%.