Santos’s plans to consolidate its operations in Vietnam have taken another encouraging step forward with the discovery of a total net oil pay in excess of 70 m in the offshore Blackbird well.

The latest find follows hot on the heels of the company’s success at the nearby Dua well in the Nam Con Son Basin and the recent signing of a production sharing contract in northern Vietnam’s Song Hong Basin.

The Blackbird well (12E-CS-1X) was drilled to a total depth of 4,058 m and discovered four oil bearing intervals in the main Middle Dua target, up-dip of a previous well (12E-LK-1X) that encountered good oil shows.

These intervals have been wireline logged, with oil samples recovered for further evaluation. Preparations are ongoing for drill stem tests over a number of the intervals.

“The discovery of oil at Blackbird is very encouraging, and we await the results of testing to provide additional clarity on the likely resources”, Santos’ Managing Director, John Ellice-Flint, said.

Blackbird is located in Block 12E offshore Vietnam, approximately 21 km to the south west of the recent successful wells in the Dua field. Interests in Block 12E are Santos International Holdings Pty Ltd (37.5%), Premier Oil plc (operator and 37.5%) and Delek Energy (25%).

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The Blackbird well, 21 km south west of the Dua field, was drilled to a total depth of 4,058 m and discovered four oil bearing intervals in the main Middle Dua target.