Tethys Oil announced in a press release that exploration well 5 (B4EW5) on Block 4 onshore the Sultanate of Oman has been drilled to a total depth of around 3,000 m (9,843 ft). The well recorded oil shows in five separate formations.

The well has been completed in the Lower Buah and produced by natural flow in excess of 200 b/d of oil, according to the press release. Operations with a view to increase the production rate will be carried out, and plans are to place the well on a long-term production test.

The B4EW5 structure is a look-alike structure to the producing well 4 structure (B4EW4) and was identified from recently completed 3-D seismic, according to the release.

“We are encouraged by discovering oil also in the new structure. Like in the previous structure, oil shows were present in several formations, while the production from the Lower Buah is still considerably lower than that obtained from well 4 [B4EW4]. As work continues we will learn more about the long-term potential of the new discovery,” Tethys managing director Magnus Nordin said in the release.

Appraisal drilling will continue on the well B4EW4 discovery. A new appraisal well is in progress southeast from the discovery well. The new well is being drilled to further appraise the extension of the Lower Buah reservoir section, according to the release. The B4EW4 structure continues to yield good flows from the Lower Buah under the long-term production test from the previously completed wells.

Tethys Oil AB, through its wholly owned subsidiary Tethys Oil Block 3 and 4 Ltd., has a 30% interest in blocks 3 and 4, according to the release. Partners are Mitsui E&P Middle East BV with 20% and operator CC Energy Development SAL (Oman branch) holding the remaining 50%.