In the Willow Springs Prospect testing of the deepest objective was completed and oil was produced though the hydrocarbon quantities were deemed uneconomic.

The well testing also featured an additional up-hole pay potential and the completion rig on location is preparing to move up the well bore to test the next potential pay horizon.

Gasco president and CEO King Grant said the initial Willow Springs exploratory well has the potential to encounter various pay horizons.

"The deep results do not condemn the deeper horizon, instead they confirm a structural trap which is consistent with our belief that hydrocarbons are present and exist in structural traps in deeper parts of the San Joaquin Basin," Grant added.

"We are encouraged by the uphole pay potential in the current well bore, and by the information gained from the initial well."

The company will test the next pay horizon in the near future.

Gasco has also updated on its NW McKittrick shallow oil prospect and informed that the operator of the prospect has advanced the permitting process with the applicable California state and US federal agencies.

The drilling of the first well on the prospect will follow once it receives the final permit approval which is expected to occur later this year.

Gasco Energy is a natural gas and petroleum exploitation, development and production company engaged in locating and developing hydrocarbon resources.