The Donga-3 well was put on pump last Saturday. Flows have started to stabilise between 100 and 120 barrels of oil per day, of which 40-70 bbls of 46-degree API crude oil are being pumped out.

Bow said a downhole pressure gauge has been installed and will be retrieved after the production test interval.

Over the next month, production performance will be closely monitored, particularly the oil/water ratio and reservoir pressures, to provide necessary data for full field development considerations, according to the partners.

Bow said this first production was a “significant milestone” for the company and formed part of its medium-term plan to find and develop oil fields within its western Surat Basin land holdings.

The company is also working up similar and other types of oil exploration targets in the western Surat Basin, where it plans to drill or participate in a minimum of three oil exploration wells later this year.

Bow is also preparing for an oil exploration drilling program in its Cooper-Eromanga Basin areas, with the first well due for drilling in May.

Oilex and Bow each hold a 42.5% interest in ATP805P. Victoria Petroleum has the remaining 15%.