Neptune Energy announced drilling operations have begun at its operated Yakoot exploration well, located in the North West El Amal Concession in the southern Gulf of Suez, Egypt. It is the first operated well to be drilled by Neptune in Egypt.

The operation is being carried out with the ADM-8 rig, operated by ADES, and has a final target depth of around 3,600 meters.

Neptune was awarded the exploration license for the North West El Amal Concession in February 2019, and acquired advanced 3D seismic data in 2020.

“Drilling the Yakoot prospect is a significant milestone for Neptune in Egypt and we are grateful for the support of the Egyptian Petroleum Ministry and the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC),” Neptune Energy’s Managing Director in Egypt, Alexandra Thomas, commented.

“After many months of careful preparation, working closely with our stakeholders and partners, we are fully focused on safely drilling this strategically important well,” Thomas said.

The North West El Amal offshore concession covers 365 square kilometers and is located approximately 42 kilometers south-east of Ras Gharib and 105 kilometers north-west of Hurghada.