Inpex Corp., Tokyo, said an offshore exploratory well encountered a thin natural gas reservoir in a shallow zone and “unexpected, strong gas indications” in the deepest zone, “suggesting the presence of a high-pressure gas column.”
The well was drilled by Transocean’s M.G. Hulme Jr. semisubmersible drilling rig in 210 m of water to a depth 2,900 m below the sea floor. Drilling began June 5 and was concluded Oct. 26.
The location is about 130 km offshore, northwest of Shimane Prefecture and north of Yamaguchi Prefecture. The company said the area has not been drilled since the 1980s.
The company will conduct a detailed analysis of data obtained (OGJ Online, June 8, 2016).
