The Melbourne-based company said the well this week was flow-tested at a maximum rate of 11,660bopd on a 52/64-inch choke, with a flowing wellhead pressure of 651psi.

“The oil flow rate was limited by testing equipment deployed on the drilling rig and calculations show that the well is capable of flowing at a stabilised rate of 15,000-20,000bopd, very similar to the Puffin-7 well,” AED said.

“The measured crude gravity is approximately 44 degree API, consistent with Puffin-5 and Puffin-7.”

Reservoir appraisal by this well and subsequent reservoir simulation also confirmed that the Puffin-8 well will be draining additional reserves to Puffin-7.

“As the second well in the development, Puffin-8 will give additional security of production,” it said.

Last week, the company said the primary aim of the flow-test was to clean up drilling and completion fluids from the formation and determine the mechanical integrity of the well completion.