Soco International (LON:SIA) said that its subsidiary has spudded the wildcat exploration well Bayingu-1 in the Nganzi Block, onshore the Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa).
The well will be drilled to approximately 2,520 metres and is expected to take 25 days to reach the target depth.
Desire Petroleum (LON:DES) has spudded the Dawn/Jacinta 25/5-1 well in the Falklands on 18 December 2010.
The well, which is located in Desire’s 100% interested Tranche I, has two targets.
The total depth of the well is planned to be around 1,670 metres and is expected to take 30 days to complete.
Rockhopper Exploration (LON:RKH) has entered into an agreement to take up two optional drilling slots under the original rig contract between Desire Petroleum plc and Diamond Offshore Drilling, owners of the Ocean Guardian drilling rig.
Rockhopper is also in discussions to take up further well slots on the Ocean Guardian.
EnCore Oil (LON:EO) spudded the Varadero exploration well 28/9-2 in Central North Sea block 28/9 on 18 December 2010.
The main objective of the well is to establish if hydrocarbons are present in the Tay sands at an estimated depth of approximately 4,125 feet Total Vertical Depth Sub Sea.
Xcite Energy (LON:XEL, TSX-V:XEL) said that the 9/3b-6z horizontal well section on the Bentley field has commenced the test phase and is progressing on plan.
Circle Oil (LON:COP) said that t the Al Ola-1X well in Egypt has now been placed on stream following receipt of official permission for a long-term production test.
The overall production from the Geyad and Al Amir SE fields is currently averaging 8,500 bopd.
Empyrean Energy (LON:EME) reported that the Luna-1H well has been on production for a period of 30 days. The average production rate over the last 15 days of the reported 30 day period was 1,070 boe/d.
Global Petroleum (LON:GBP) said that Texon Petroleum Ltd (ASX: TXN) has advised that the first Eagle Ford well, Tyler Ranch EFS #1H, has flowed 1,267 boepd representing 1,202 bpd of light sweet crude oil and 782 mcfpd of gas.
Global has a 7.939% working interest in the well and a beneficial interest (NRI) in the production of 5.95%.