According to industry sources in Vietnam, the joint venture -- comprising Conoco (23.25%), Korea National Oil Corporation with SK Corporation (23.25%), PetroVietnam (50%) and Geopetrol (3.5%) -- is preparing a 21-day production test at its Su Tu Den-2X appraisal well.

The deviated probe, drilled by Santa Fe International's Galveston Key in approximately 50 metres of water, reached its total depth of 3866 metres last week after intersecting multiple pay zones, the sources said.

Based