InterOil has started drilling on a side-track well at the Antelope-4 site, as part of its appraisal campaign on the Elk–Antelope gas field in Papua New Guinea.
The Antelope-4 appraisal had been suspended in May 2015 and well operations resumed on August 13, including the on-site preparation and testing of well-head equipment.
Subsequently operator Total obtained approval from the PNG department of energy to re-enter the well.
A transition agreement was announced earlier this month that between Total and InterOil, under which InterOil would drill the Antelope 4 sidetrack well on behalf of Total, while Total will operate the Antelope 6 well.
Elk-Antelope, in the Gulf Province, is one of Asia’s largest undeveloped gas fields. InterOil has exploration licences covering about 16,000sqkm.