The Main Pass 18 G-6 well also yielded an oil discovery with the intersection of two oil-bearing sands that appear to be commercial, Petsec said.

“All four wells drilled in this current program have been successful and have met the pre-drill mapped potential of 15 to 18 billion cubic feet equivalent (Bcfe) of gas net to Petsec Energy,” executive chairman Terry Fern said.

“The four discovery wells will now be completed for production and are expected to be online within two months.”

Petsec said the Main Pass 18 G-6 well, which yesterday reached a total depth of 3969m, encountered five productive sands.

“The pre-drill gas estimate for this well of 8 billion cubic feet has been met and in addition two oil sands were intersected, which at this preliminary stage appear to be commercial,” Fern said.

Fern added that oil samples and pressure data would be taken before the rig is released to further evaluate the oil discovery. A review of these results is expected in three to four weeks’ time.

The Main Pass 18 G-6 well was drilled from Petsec’s Main Pass 19 platform, 128km south-east of New Orleans, and north of Main Pass 19, where the company recently drilled three new gas discovery wells.

The four wells were testing mapped potential of about 15 to 18 billion cubic feet equivalent of gas net to Petsec.

Petsec has a 100% working interest and 83.3% net revenue interest in the Main Pass 18 field.