HOUSTON, April 5 (UPI) -- More than 400 feet of natural gas was encountered in a reservoir off the coast of Western Australia, a U.S. energy company announced.
Apache Corp. said it logged 410 feet of natural gas in sands more than 13,000 feet below sea level.
Thomas Maher, the regional vice president for Apache, said his company was optimistic about the results from the well.
"Zola is a very encouraging result for Apache," he added in his statement. "Although it is too early to speculate on reserve size, the quality and thickness of the reservoir is better than we expected."
Zola is about 60 miles northwest of Onslow, Western Australia. The field is in water depths of 930 feet.
"After we finish operations on the Zola-1 well, Apache will begin discussing the way forward, including appraisal drilling and development options, with our partners," added Maher.
