The Directors of Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc announced that BDF Rig 28 has spudded the CW-2Z well at the Crosby Warren Oilfield, North Lincolnshire (Europa 100%).

The drilling programme, anticipated to take 3-4 weeks, comprises sidetracking the Crosby Warren-2 well to an up-dip target location in the Beacon Hills Flags reservoir some 450m WSW of the surface location.

Crosby Warren-1 has produced oil at an average rate of 85 bopd since a workover in mid-June, compared to 35 bopd at the time of acquisition. Europa has taken delivery of a larger beam pump unit to increase volumes further on the well.

Paul Barrett, Managing Director, said 'Commencement of drilling operations at Crosby Warren is an important element of Europa's 2007 drilling campaign, representing an opportunity for significant near-term production level increases in addition to those increases already achieved on the field since acquisition'.