Oil and gas explorer Tullow Oil said the Harrison exploration well operated by Conocophillips has encountered a 16-metre gas column in the targeted Lower Ketch formation.
The well, 20 kilometres to the northeast of the Murdoch platform, has been drilled to a depth of 4,289 metres and will now be flow tested, the group said in its UK exploration update.
It added that all of the drilling was completed ahead of schedule and under budget.