Testing of the Mputa-1 well in Block 2 flowed a combined total 1120 barrels of oil of between 32 and 33 API quality. This flow rate comprises 300 barrels of oil per day (bopd) from the Lower Sand Zone, over the interval 1118-1126m, and more recently, 820bopd from the Upper Sand Zone at a depth of 966.5-974.5m.

Hardman managing director Simon Potter said the test results not only proved the oil at Mputa is mobile, but that the reservoir sands were capable of producing dry oil under natural flow at potentially commercial rates.

He said this was particularly significant, as the Mputa reservoirs were at a shallower depth, and are hence at lower pressure and temperature than the corresponding reservoir units at Waraga.

“The positive test results from Mputa are particularly important given that we map more oil in-place in this resource than at Waraga,” Potter said.

“Natural flow from the reservoir at these pressures and temperatures are indicative that production rates could potentially be commercial.

“Further, collectively the results to date indicate that oil from the source interval deep under the lake can migrate all the way across the rift valley to the boundary fault and thus potentially over the whole licence, considerably upgrading remaining prospectivity.”

Although Hardman is still awaiting laboratory confirmation, Potter said the gravity of all oil flowed at Mputa-1 similar to that found in the lower units of the Waraga-1 well and was likely to be of similar origin.

With the testing program complete, the Hardman-Tullow Oil joint venture has now presented potential forward options to the Ugandan Government and is in discussions concerning the way forward on exploration, further appraisal and potential development concepts.

Potter added that initial guidance on Mputa volumes will be released next week in the company’s half-yearly report.

Located 19km southwest of Waraga-1, the Mputa-1 well is 220km northwest of the Ugandan capital Kampala and onshore 8km from Lake Albert.

Meanwhile on the other side of Africa, Hardman said the Dana-led Mauritanian joint venture is drilling the offshore Flamant-1 exploration well in Block 8 ahead at a depth of 1867m, after running and cementing 20-inch casing.

Targeting Cretaceous Carbonates, Flamant-1 has a total planned depth of 3370m and is being drilled in 1414m of water.

It is located about 210km offshore and 195km northwest from Pelican-1, a

Cretaceous gas discovery drilled in Block 7.