ADX Energy Ltd., Sydney, set 9-5/8 in. casing at 1,295 m to test an interpreted 30-m oil column in Upper Cretaceous at the Sidi Dhaher-1 exploratory well on the 2,428 sq km Chorbane permit onshore Tunisia.

The well went to a total depth of 2,011 m measured depth. Logs indicate several potential reservoir zones in Tertiary and Cretaceous with relatively high porosity and permeability interpreted in Upper Cretaceous.

Wireline fluid sampling from an Upper Cretaceous-aged reservoir recovered a mixture of drilling mud, drilling mud filtrate, and oil. This recovery indicates deep invasion of drilling fluids into a permeable reservoir and the presence of movable oil, ADX said. The oil gradient calculated from formation pressures within the interpreted oil column suggests the presence of relatively light oil.

Interests in the well are ADX Energy and Gulfsands Petroleum PLC 40% each and XState Resources Ltd. and Verus Investments Ltd. 10% each assuming completion of farmout obligations.