Hibiscus Petroleum Berhad has announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Hibiscus Oil & Gas Malaysia as the operator of the PM3 commercial arrangement area production sharing contract, has successfully completed the drilling of the Bunga Aster-1 exploration well.
The Bunga Aster-1 well encountered approximately 17.5 m of oil-bearing sandstone with up to 46 m of potential oil column. Multiple oil samples were collected during the logging campaign. Initial assessments indicate good reservoir characteristics.
This marks the second significant discovery within a 12-month period, following the discovery of Bunga Lavatera in 2023.
The decision to drill the well from the existing Bunga Orkid-D platform has successfully enabled quick monetisation of this discovery. First oil production is expected to commence in May 2024.
In light of this positive result, HML will progress with a thorough evaluation and appraisal of the discovery to further define the size of the discovery. The Bunga Aster discovery will add additional reserves and oil production to the PM3 CAA PSC, thereby extending the economic life of the PSC.
The Company has plans to continue exploring other near-field prospects in the PM3 CAA PSC in the next three years, working together with various stakeholders, under the stewardship of Malaysia Petroleum Management, Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS).