Japan Petroleum Exploration Co., Ltd. (JAPEX) has shed light on its exploratory drilling activities in the offshore Hidaka area of Hokkaido.
JAPEX completed the exploratory drilling in the offshore Hidaka area of Hokkaido on June 10, 2026. The firm had been conducting the activity to confirm the presence of natural gas since March 24, 2026. The rig that undertook the previous drilling work in the area, which began in April 2019 and was finished in August 2019, was Valaris 8504 .
As a result, the most recent operation was conducted based on the results of the exploratory drilling operations carried out in 2019, approximately 5 kilometers northwest of the location already drilled around 50 kilometers offshore in the same area, at a water depth of 1,070 meters.
The Japanese player conducted exploratory drilling to a water depth of 1,900 meters, with understanding and cooperation from the local community, including the fishing industry and local government.
“We tested the reservoir where indications of natural gas were recognized during the drilling and confirmed the presence of natural gas in part of the reservoir and acquired geological data,” emphasized JAPEX.
The exploratory drilling was selected by the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as a subsidized project under the ‘Subsidy for Geological Survey for Domestic Oil and Natural Gas in FY2024.’
According to the Japanese firm, the confirmed natural gas volume does not meet the criteria for “immediate commercialization.” However, JAPEX will analyze and evaluate the obtained data to consider the possibility of an exploration and development opportunity in the area.
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