Kuwait Energy has made a new oil well discovery in the Western Desert region of Egypt. The well, named Al Jahraa-1X, is Kuwait Energy’s third discovery in the Abu Sennan exploration concession.

Al Jahraa-1X was drilled at a depth of 12,210 feet, showing commercial flow rates of 835 barrels of oil equivalent a day (boe/d) in initial testing.

Kuwait Energy holds a 50 per cent working interest in the concession, with the Egypt’s Dover Investments and Australia-based Beach Energy holding 28 per cent and 22 per cent respectively.

Commercial production is expected to begin after Kuwait Energy receives regulatory approvals from the Egyptian government.

Kuwait Energy first struck hydrocarbon reserves at Abu Sennan in August 2011, with the discovery of two wells.

The private oil and gas exploration and production company is also the operator of two other blocks in Egypt: Area A in the Eastern Desert and the Burg el-Arab development lease, Western Desert. Egyptian operations are the largest contributor to Kuwait Energy’s working interest production, producing 17,700 boe as of the end of 2011.