In a well update, Oil Search this morning said the Ghard-ST 1 well, located in the East Ras Qattara Block, flowed the daily equivalent of 1466 barrels of oil and 2.2 million cubic feet of gas over an eight-hour drill stem test on a half-inch choke.

As a result, operator Sipetrol International is casing and suspending the well as a potential producer, before moving the rig 18km southeast to spud the next well, Rana-1, to be flowed by Mesk-1.

Ghard-ST 1 is the second discovery in the East Ras Qattara Block, following the Shahd-1 discovery late last year.

“Both Shahd and Ghard have proven the extension of the prolific Western Desert petroleum system into the East Ras Qattara Block,” Oil Search said.

“Up to 12 similar prospects, including Rana-1 and Mesk-1, are located in the block in close proximity to these discoveries.”

Looking ahead, Oil Search said the joint venture would continue exploration and development drilling in a bid to fully evaluate the hydrocarbon potential of the block, as well as to allow the rapid development of the Shahd and Ghard discoveries.

First production from the Shahd-1 well is scheduled for the next quarter.

Elsewhere in the Middle East, Oil Search said testing is about to begin on an Iraqi well. Oil Search holds a 20% stake in the operator of that well.

“Difficulties continue to be experienced with importing the relevant equipment into the region,” Oil Search said.

Bina Bawi-1 is located in the Bina Bawi exploration and production sharing

agreement (EPSA) located in the Kurdistan region of northern Iraq.

Oil Search has the option to convert its 20% interest in operator A & T Petroleum, into a 10% direct interest in the Bina Bawi EPSA.