Aussie oil company Roc Oil has begun a multi-well drilling campaign in Beibu Gulf, China, where, on New Year’s Day 2008, the Murmanskaya jack-up rig began its bit run after two weeks of delays and “rig-equipment malfunctions”.

The exploration and appraisal drilling in Block 22/12 has started with the Wei 6-12W-1 well on the Wei 6-12 West Prospect, a stratigraphic feature 2.5 kilometres northwest of the Wei 6-12S-1 oil discovery.

Roc is part of a joint venture of compatriot companies, but the Chinese national oil company can back into the deal with 51 percetn stake. Wei 6-12W-1 will go down from atop 30 metres of water and is aimed at 2,425 metres total depth.

Roc chief exec John Doran said the drilling targets “are primarily stratigraphic, not structural, (so) there will be a commensurate increase in exploration risk and potential commercial reward.

Tags: ROC Oil