UK-based oil and gas company Neptune Energy and its partners in the offshore Norwegian license PL882 have spudded the Dugong wildcat well with the Deepsea Yantai semi-submersible rig in the North Sea.

The Dugong well is the first operated exploration well to be drilled by Neptune Energy in the northern North Sea since the Duva discovery made in 2016.

The Deepsea Yantai semi-submersible rig is a new vessel, which is owned by CIMC and operated by Odfjell Drilling. The semi-submersible rig will undertake a drilling program that includes a main bore with a down-dip side track, based on the results of the main bore.

Steinar Meland – Neptune Energy Director of Exploration & Development in Norway said: “A discovery in Dugong could open up new and exciting opportunities in surrounding licences, making it an important well in establishing a new core area for Neptune in Norway.

“This activity underlines the importance of the region to Neptune’s geographically-diverse portfolio.”

The Dugong well is located 158 kilometers west of Florø and is contained in a water depth of 330 meters. It is in close proximity to the existing production facilities of the Snorre field, which has been upgraded to produce beyond another 20 years.

According to Neptune Energy, the reservoir of the Dugong exploration well lies at a depth of 3,250-3,400 metres.

Neptune Energy is the operator of PL882 with a stake of 40% and is partnered by Concedo (20%), Petrolia NOCO (20%), and Idemitsu Petroleum Norge (20%).

The PL 882 license was won during the APA 2016 round.

Petrolia NOCO by employing new broadband seismic has estimated the Dugong prospect to hold prospective recoverable resources of 86 million barrels of oil equivalent (mmboe).

Linn Katrine Høie – Petrolia NOCO Managing Director said: “The drilling of the Dugong well represents the culmination of the company’s collaborative approach to exploration and strong teamwork. In the event of success, the well will be transformative for the company and add significant value for shareholders and other stakeholders.”

  CIMC, Concedo, Deepsea Yantai semi-submersible rig, Dugong well, Idemitsu Petroleum, Idemitsu Petroleum Norge, Linn Katrine Høie, Neptune Energy, North Sea, Norway, Odfjell Drilling, Petrolia NOCO, PL882 license, Steinar Meland