Dana Petroleum announced a successful exploration well at the Nefertiti prospect in the South October production sharing contract area (Dana 65% and operator, Inpex 35%), Gulf of Suez, Egypt. The highly deviated well was drilled from an onshore location to an offshore target between 12th July and 14th November 2010.

The Nefertiti-1X well was drilled to a measured depth of 14,150 ft, targeting a prospect in the Asl sands. The well encountered 65ft TVD oil bearing sands. As expected the reservoir was moderately pressure depleted and the flow test was completed using an Electrical Submersible Pump (ESP).

During the drill stem test, the well flowed at a maximum stabilized rate of 1,544 barrels of fluid per day with a BS&W of 13% and a Gas Oil Ratio of 279 scf/bbl. The maximum flow rate was constrained by the size of the ESP. The ESP has been left in the well and the well suspended for future use as a producer. Commerciality and possible development plans will be discussed with EGPC.

Dana expects to secure 3.9-6.5 million barrels of resources from the well.