InterOil Corp. successfully drillstem tested the upper reservoir section in the Triceratops-2 well in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and flowed natural gas and condensate at a rate of 17.6 million cu ft of gas per day through a 48/64-in choke. The observed condensate to gas ratio at separator conditions was between 13.6 and 16.3 barrels per million cu ft of gas. The corresponding wellhead pressure was 1,382 psi.

The logs and pressure data indicate two stratigraphically separate carbonate reservoir intervals with separate pressure systems and potentially separate or stacked hydrocarbon pay. The upper reservoir interval contains gas and condensate.

The test was conducted in the open hole interval from 4,111 ft (1,253 m) to 4,859 ft (1,481 m), and the well was opened to increasing choke settings before being closed for final buildup.

"We believe that the pressure data and flow rates recovered from the drillstem tests and well logs demonstrate a high quality, porous reservoir," stated Phil Mulacek, chief executive officer of InterOil. "Our forward plan to obtain definitive test results from the lower reservoir section is to set casing over the entire reservoir interval and perforate zones of interest."