JAPEX reported it completed a well operation on 2 August 2019. During drilling, a production test was carried out and it achieved stable gas flow rate, which indicated gas reservoir presence. The data obtained from the well will be analyzed to evaluate further exploration potential in this area. The well reached a TD of 2,530 m below the seabed.  JAPEX reported on 16 April 2019 that the company started the exploratory drilling at offshore Hidaka area of Hokkaido on 13 April 2019. The location of the well is approximately 50 kilometers offshore of Hidaka area of Hokkaido with a water depth of 1,070 m, which has been selected based on geophysical survey results obtained through a seismic vessel âSHIGENâ owned by ANRE.  it is taken as part of the offshore exploration project commissioned by the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (ANRE). âEnsco 8504â S/S is used for the drilling operation.   This exploratory well, with a PTD of 2,000 m below seabed, is aiming to evaluate the presence of oil and natural gas resources in the area. The well has been decided upon completion of the preparation works including a preliminary seabed survey at the location conducted in October 2018. The operation of exploratory drilling was expected to be completed until late July 2019, and the data obtained through the operations will be later utilized for analysis and evaluation purposes.Â  Â   Most of Japanâs oil and gas fields are located along the western coastline, about 15 fields are on production in Japan. Major operators are INPEX and Japex. Japanâs major upstream oil and natural gas focus has been involved in locating new domestic reserves in the Niigata, Akita, Yamagata, and Hokkaido regions of Japan, targeting areas near existing oil and natural gas fields.  In 2017 Japex announced that it decided to commence oil development of a shallow reservoir named the Takinoue Formation of the Yufutsu Oil and Gas Field in Tomakomai city of Hokkaido aiming commercial production of crude oil. The Takinoue Formation is a discovered but undeveloped reservoir which is shallower than the current oil and gas producing reservoir of the Field.  Background Information    In 2013, Japex tested oil and gas in Akebono SK-2D-1H, which flowed 1,300 bo/d and 159 Mscfg/d gas at an interval from 1,738 to 1,958m in the Takinoue formation, in the north of Yufutsu field in Hokkaido. Akebono SK-2D-1H, an appraisal well, was drilled in the Yukutsu field. The well was spudded on 22 February 2013 and reached a TD of 2,050m with objective in shallow reservoir in the Takinoue formation.   After this shallow reservoir discovery Japex continued evaluation of the oil reserves in the entire shallow reservoir and property analysis of produced oil, and study of appropriate development plan and feasibility of the development. As a result, the company decided to commence development, since it is expected that crude oil reservoir spread out widely in the Takinoue Formation while the quality of oil is heavy. Japex will manage to secure the economic efficiency by reduction of development cost such as modification of existing wells and diversion of idle production facilities of the Yufutsu Oil and Gas Field.  Japex commenced development from July 2017, proceeding modification of the existing wells to the production wells and conducting installation work of additional well-head facilities and heavy oil processing facilities in order. Commencement of oil production is anticipated in the second half of 2019 and initial production rate is expected 200 kiloliters per day. Japex also continue the reserves study for the shallow oil reservoir, and pursue the possibility of additional development.  Japex has production operations in Hokkaido centered on the Yufutsu oil and gas field, which was discovered in 1989 when Minami Yufutsu SK-1 tested oil and gas. In 1992 Japex drilled Numanohata SK-1D and Akebono SK-1 to assess this discovery and both wells achieved oil and gas flow. With success of those three wells the Yufutsu field is confirmed and the field has been on production since 1996.
Hidaka 1 explo, completed by JAPEX as part of the offshore exploration project commissioned by the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (ANRE in early July 2019, gas disc. a production test was run on a gas reservoir "where indications of natural gas existence was recognized, and achieved stable gas production. WD=1070 m with PTD= 2000 m below seabed.