Drilling has begun on the Ofelia exploration well in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea, according to a Neptune Energy announcement.

The well, 35/6-3 S, is being drilled by the Deepsea Yantai, a semi-submersible rig, owned by CIMC and operated by Odfjell Drilling. The Ofelia prospect is located 13 kilometres north of the Gjøa field within the Neptune-operated PL929 Licence.

The Ofelia prospect might be connected to the Neptune-operated Gja platform in the event of a commercial discovery and produce at less than half the typical carbon intensity of Norwegian Continental Shelf fields.

Neptune Energy’s Director of Subsurface in Norway, Steinar Meland, said: “Ofelia is an interesting prospect and fits our exploration strategy of focusing on opportunities within core areas near existing infrastructure.

“In case of a discovery, Ofelia could potentially be developed in parallel with Hamlet, resulting in a low cost and carbon efficient development.”

Ofelia is located in a key region of Neptune and is adjacent to current facilities. It is anticipated that a depth of about 2,570 metres would be reached before reaching the reservoir target, which is the Lower Cretaceous Agat Formation.