TotalFinaElf* today announced the successful drilling and testing of the Kashagan East-2 well, located on the Kashagan structure, 75 kilometres south of Atyrau in the Northeast Caspian Sea.

Kashagan East-2 was drilled to a depth of 4,142 m and during testing, flowed at a rate of 7,400 barrels of oil per day. This level of production was limited in line with the constraints applied to the testing operation. The well is the third drilled on the Kashagan structure and the first appraisal well following last year’s discovery of hydrocarbons at Kashagan East-1.

Following the completion of Kashagan East-2, the Sunkar drilling rig will continue with the appraisal drilling campaign on Kashagan East in order to fully assess the potential of the reservoir.

The positive result of this first appraisal well marks an important step in the evaluation of the Kashagan structure. It constitutes a very positive sign for the Group, which plans to continue its exploration and development policy in a region offering promising prospects.

*TotalFinaElf is a partner in the North Caspian PSA operated by Agip KCO (a subsidiary of ENI), which groups nine international companies : BG, BP, ENI, ExxonMobil, Inpex, Phillips, Shell, Statoil and TotalFinaElf.