Canadian exploration and production (E&P) firm TransGlobe Energy Corporation has announced being able to successfully test oil flow from South Ghazalat 6X (SGZ 6X), its onshore oil discovery in Egypt.

TransGlobe on 8 November drilled the SGZ 6X exploration well to a depth of 5,195 feet and cased the well as a potential discovery of Bahariya light oil, a type of crude found in Egypt’s Baharia formation in the Western Sahara desert.

The firm tested three intervals in the Bahariya formation and a combined 3,840 barrels a day (b/d) of light oil from the upper and lower Bahariya.

The lower Bahariya formation flowed naturally at an average rate of 2,437 b/d of light oil, 21 b/d of water and 1.4 million cubic feet of natural gas a day (cf/d) on a 40/64 inches choke from a 42 foot perforated interval.

A total of 918 barrels of oil and seven barrels of water were produced during the 10 hour test, TransGlobe said in its statement.

The middle Bahariya produced a small amount of formation water using nitrogen to lift fluid to the surface from an eight foot perforated interval.

The upper Bahariya formation flowed at an average rate of 1,403 b/d of light oil, 210 b/d of water and 1 million cf/d on a 64/64 inches choke from a 23 foot perforated interval.

A total of 456 barrels of oil and 65 barrels of water were produced during the eight hour test.

Based on the positive test rates from SGZ 6X, TransGlobe says it will begin preparing a development plan for the discovery.

Taking into account the SGZ 6X well results, the firm is going to evaluate additional exploration or appraisal drilling in the area and consider accelerating potential early development options.

"With the completion of SGZ 6X well, the company has met the financial commitments for the current exploration phase of the concession," TransGlobe said in the statement.

The company’s South Ghazalat concession has been extended to 6 May 2019, with an option to enter into the final 18 month exploration phase.