INPEX Corporation has been commissioned by the Agency of Natural Resources and Energy of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) of Japan to drill one exploratory well for the agency’s Heisei 26-28 Domestic Offshore Drilling Program in Japan, offshore Yamaguchi and Shimane prefectures.

The objective of the drilling project is to determine the presence of hydrocarbon deposits and conduct geological studies.

According to INPEX, the Japanese government conducted a geophysical survey in Yamaguchi and Shimane prefectures in 2011, from the seismic survey vessel Shigen as part of its Domestic Oil and Natural Gas Exploration Project, and INPEX conducted a 3D geophysical survey in 2013 based on the earlier survey.

INPEX plans to drill the exploratory well beginning in May 2016 until August of the same year at a location approximately 140km north of Yamaguchi Prefecture and approximately 130km northwest of Shimane Prefecture, where the water is 210m deep.

In preparation for this, the company said it will undertake a site survey in August 2015 to map the subsea surface and observe currents at the location.

“INPEX’s undertaking of the project will be in line with the company’s initiatives to continuously enhance its E&P activities, one of the growth targets in the medium- to long-term vision laid out in May 2012. If the project leads to the production of oil and natural gas at a commercially viable level, it will be expected to contribute to the improvement in Japan’s energy self-sufficiency,” the company has said in a statement.

Source: www.offshoreenergytoday.com

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