InterOil Corporation said that the PRL-15 joint venture has started drilling 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 at a true vertical depth sub-sea of 2,056 meters, approximately 158 meters above the field gas water contact, the company said in a statement.
Well operations, which resumed on August 13, 2015, included the on-site preparation and testing of well-head equipment. Subsequently the operator, Total E&P PNG obtained approval from the PNG Department of Energy to re-enter the well.
The side-track was initiated at a measured depth of 862 meters. As at 15:30 (PNG time) the side-track well was drilling ahead at a depth of 895 meters.