Neptune Energy today announced drilling has commenced on the Dugong Tail exploration well in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea.
The Dugong Tail is being drilled by the Deepsea Yantai, a semi-submersible rig, owned by CIMC and operated by Odfjell Drilling.
It is located within the Neptune-operated Dugong Production Licence (882), about 75 miles west of Florø, Norway, at a water depth of 320 metres.
It is close to the existing production facilities of the Snorre field.
The drilling program comprises a main bore with the potential for sidetracks, should hydrocarbons be encountered.
Dugong was one of the largest discoveries on the Norwegian Continental Shelf last year.
A recent Drill Stem Test (DST) of Dugong has now been completed and is currently under evaluation.
Neptune Energy’s director of exploration & development in Norway, Steinar Meland said: “Dugong Tail represents an important geophysical calibration point for the licence, with the potential to unlock further prospectivity in the region.
“This positive activity demonstrates Neptune’s commitment to investing in Norway, underlining the importance of the country to our global portfolio.”