BP has reported its eighth oil discovery in the Astraea-1 deepwater well on Block 31, off the coast of Angola.

The UK-headquartered energy outfit has previously struck oil at Plutao, Saturno, Marte, Venus, Ceres, Palas and Juno, all within Block 31. Astraea-1 is located 10 kilometers to the south east of the Palas discovery, announced earlier in 2005.

Astraea-1 was drilled by the Jack Ryan drill ship, in a water depth of 1,496 meters, some 321 kilometers north west of Luanda and reached a total depth of 3,511 meters below sea level. The well was tested at a maximum rate of 6,513 barrels of oil a day (b/d) through a 40/64 inch choke.

BP is now evaluating development concepts in the south-eastern region of the block.

As operator BP holds a 26.67% stake in Block 31, the largest share of a collaboration of companies that also include Esso and Statoil.