Gamma-1 is the second well in a three-hole oil exploration drilling program in Wompi Block ATP 752P.

Bow yesterday said bottom hole drill stem testing of oil shows in the Murta sandstone secondary target over the interval 1114-1148m at the well recovered a small amount of formation water in the sample chamber with a faint oil odour.

“The pressure charts will be retrieved and analysed but preliminary results suggest the reservoir tested is tight and unlikely to contain commercial hydrocarbons,” the Brisbane-based company said.

“The well is being prepared to drill ahead to the primary Jurassic-aged Namur and Hutton sandstone targets.”

After Gamma-1, and subject to lease access, the rig will next move to Nora-1, which will test a four-way closed structure with up to 6.5 million barrels of recoverable oil potential in one zone.

Bow is fully-carried on the Cooper-Eromanga oil exploration drilling program, with Avery Resources (Australia) funding 100% of each Wompi block well’s cost to casing point or plugging and abandonment.

The interests in ATP 752P (following the completion of the Avery farm-in) will be operator Bow 25%, Victoria Petroleum 25% and Avery 50%.