Oilex said the well flowed oil to surface from the level of the Basal sand secondary objective at 1966-1972m at an average initial rate of about 180 barrels per day.

No formation water was produced during the test and the well has been shut-in to record pressure build-up data.

According to the company, the next phase of testing may involve adding up to 12m of deeper prospective zones that have a similar log response to the initial 6m test interval.

Oilex also said it is pleased with the initial oil flow results from the Basal sandstone, the first from the zone in the entire Cambay block.

Further evaluation of the future production potential of this zone will be carried out in two of the four wells remaining in the current drilling program, Oilex added.

The two wells will be designed to maximise the flow rate potential from the basal sand that would become a primary objective, according to the company.

Oilex is preparing to test the EP III and EP IV primary objectives in the Cambay-19Z well.

If the well tests successful for oil, it will be completed for near-term production; if it tests successful for gas, the well will be suspended for production at a later date.

As operator, Oilex holds 30% of the Cambay production-sharing contract, Oilex NL Holdings India has 15%, and Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation has 55%.