Singapore-based InterOil Corp. began flow testing at the Elk-Antelope gas field in Papua New Guinea for field appraisal, the company said April 27. The field, in Gulf province, contains the Antelope-5 wellsite.

Antelope-5’s flow rate is limited to about 70 MMcf/d. Michael Hession, InterOil’s CEO, said pressure gauges will be put in the field to monitor pressure response during an extended test of the well.

Also, InterOil discussed the Elk-Antelope LNG project, a joint venture the company has with Total SA and Oil Search. Plans are being made for field testing, including drilling another well, Antelope-6, on the reservoir’s east flank. Hession added that data from Antelope-5 would help the JV design the LNG plant and associated infrastructure. Hession said Antelope-5 is a world-class reservoir.

In the reservoir’s southern flank, drilling at Antelope-4 was suspended at 2,134 m. Cores were cut in the upper part of the reservoir as planned, recovering of 33 m of dolomite. Drilling continued in the reservoir and substantial mud loss occurred at 2,110 m. This indicated that Antelope-4 intersected a significant fracture system, InterOil added. The PRL15 JV is evaluating data from Antelope 4 before deciding on next steps.

Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister Peter O’Neiil was told during a visit to the area that the venture was on track to begin early development work in 2016, and construction contracts in 2017.