Progress over the week was 196 metres. During the week, intermediate logs were run and the 9 5/8 inch casing set prior to drilling the objective Basement section which was encountered at 2,176 metres.

“To date 196 meters of Basement have been penetrated with strong oil and gas shows observed whilst drilling,” Oil Search said.

“Specifically oil shows have been recorded over the following intervals: 2179 – 2185m, 2206 – 2213m, 2253 – 2257m, 2269 – 2277m, 2302 – 2306m and 2356 – 2375m.”

The significance of these shows will be evaluated with a comprehensive wireline logging and testing program once total depth of 3567 metres has been reached, the company said.

Nabrajah-9 is the second well in the first phase of the Nabrajah Basement appraisal/development program. Located 2.7 kilometres northwest of Nabrajah-5, it is being drilled as a deviated well.

The well is intended to appraise the Basement oil accumulation discovered by Nabrajah-5 and to provide oil production from the fractured Basement reservoir.

The participants in the Nabrajah-9 well are: DNO ASA 56.67% (operator), Oil Search (Yemen) Limited 28.33% and The Yemen Company 15%, carried.