AlbertE
Yes, it is certainly "a bonefide find" - but the fact that a sample could not be obtained due to sand influx is IMHO a bit of a worry.
Shades of AED at the Puffin wells?? - where sand influx created enormous problems with initial production flow rates.
There is no doubt that confirmation of the oil column and hole conditions will enable a suitable drilling technique to be carried out in subsequent wells.