Max Petroleum reported Wednesday its SAGW-7 appraisal well on the country's Sagiz West field has proved successful, finding oil and gas pay in four reservoirs. The SAGW-7 well reached a depth of 4,720 feet with electric logs indicating 62 feet of net oil pay in three upper reservoirs and 16 feet of net gas pay in one lower reservoir. Max said that reservoir quality is "excellent" with porosities ranging from 15 percent to 27 percent. 

The company is currently setting production casing in the well and will begin testing SAGW-7 soon. Meanwhile, the Zhanros ZJ-30 rig will now move to drill the KZIE-5 appraisal well in the East Kyzylzhar I field. Max also reported that it has appointed a new chief operating officer, along with other management changes. Kenneth Hopkins takes over as COO, after having served as the general director of the company's operations in Kazakhstan since May 2013. 

Hopkins is a 21-year resident of Kazakhstan who has held senior management positions with several companies, including Oryx Energy, Orient Petroleum, Aral Petroleum Capital and International Petroleum Limited.