Santos says initial flow tests at its Caley reservoir in Western Australia confirmed the main oil pool can produce flow rates at the higher end of pre-drill expectations.
The Caley reservoir is part of the Dorado-3 appraisal well.
Santos owns an 80 per cent stake in the Dorado field after it acquired Quadrant Energy in 2018, while Carnarvon Petroleum owns a 20 per cent stake.
The initial flow test achieved a maximum measured rate of about 11,100 barrels of oil per day, Santos said in a statement.
AAP