Aberdeen-based Dana Petroleum yesterday said drilling had started at an exploration well close to its De Ruyter Field in the southern North Sea.
Dana’s Netherlands managing director Nick Dancer said: “This is the first in a five-well campaign as we seek to exploit the great potential in infrastructure-led exploration around our platforms in the southern North Sea.”
If successful, Dana will drill a production well from the De Ruyter platform.
Meanwhile, Dana has appointed Paul Barnett as the new managing director of its Egypt business.
Mr Barnett had previously spent 18 years with Shell in technical and managerial roles in Europe and the Middle East.
Marcus Richards, group chief executive of Dana, said: “Paul’s extensive experience leading operations in the Middle East will be a central part of driving our business in Egypt.”