Sound Energy said it has confirmed a significant gas discovery and a potential single gas column at its Tendrara license in Morocco, the company said in a news release.

The TE-6 well encountered the top of the structure and about 28 m of net gas pay in the TAGI reservoir after drilling to a measured vertical depth of 2,665 m. A stabilized gas flow rate of 17 MMscf/d was reached on Aug. 7, the company said, noting the results “represents a highly commercial rate.”

“I believe Tendrara, Meridja and the Eastern Morocco TAGI play have the potential to be a material hydrocarbon province on a regional scale and therefore to transform both Sound Energy and the Moroccan gas industry,” Sound Energy CEO James Parsons said in the release.

In addition, Sound Energy reported a reservoir bottom-hole pressure of 420 bars and said the recorded static pressure correlates, in terms of gas gradient, with wells previously drilled in the area.

“The combination of these factors together with the fact that none of the historically drilled wells on the license have identified a gas/water contact, suggests the possibility of a significant gas column within a continuous extended structure,” Sound Energy said in the release.

Working with Schlumberger, Sound Energy is gearing up for the second well at Tendrara. TE-7 is located about 1.3 km from TE-6. Plans are to utilize sub-horizontal drilling techniques aimed at increasing the well flow rate. Following this, the company said an extended well test will be conducted. Drilling is set to begin sometime this month.

Until the results of TE-7 are confirmed, TE-6 will be suspended, according to the release. Once the results are confirmed, the company said it plans to apply for a production concession and start detailed engineering for construction of the necessary infrastructure.

Sound Energy has a net effective interest of 27.5% in the Tendrara license, the release said.