Cairn announced that it has commenced drilling operations on the Alpha prospect (Alpha-1) in the Sigguk Block, approximately 175 kilometres offshore Disko Island, west Greenland.
The Stena Don, a fifth generation semi submersible and the Stena Forth, a sixth generation drillship, are to carry out the drilling programme in Greenland this summer. This drilling programme targets the Alpha and T8 exploration prospects which lie in water depths of between 300 and 500 metres. The wells have planned target depths of 4,200m and 3,250m and are anticipated to take 55 and 38 days respectively. Each well is being drilled using a pilot hole through the initial top hole section.
An update on the drilling operations will be provided in August.
Cairn Energy plc is an independent oil exploration and extraction company. Its headquarters are in Edinburgh, Scotland and it is listed on the London Stock Exchange.
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Source: Cairnenergy, July 1, 2010: