Aberdeen-based Dana Petroleum has spudded a new exploration well in the Southern North Sea from its De Ruyter platform.

Dana is drilling the P11-08 exploration well using the jack-up Noble Lynda Bossler, in the production licence P10a and will test the Triassic Volpriehausen substrata for the presence of oil beneath a gas cap. The prospect is located immediately west and above the producing Volpriehausen and Hewett/Fringe compartments of the De Ruyter Field. If successful, Dana will drill a side track horizontal well to enable production to start immediately.

Dana's Netherlands Managing Director Nick Dancer said: 'This is the first in a five well campaign, as we seek to exploit the great potential in infrastructure-led exploration around our platforms in the southern North Sea. We have strong exploration expertise in our Dutch team and are confident we will be able to bring oil online quickly should we be successful. '

Tags: Dana Petroleum