Deltic Energy PLC (LON:DELT) noted that Fugro GB North Marine Ltd has been hired to conduct a geophysical and geotechnical site survey ahead of the planned drilling of the Pensacola exploration well.
The survey programme is slated for July, before drilling which is anticipated in 2022.
It comes after exploration partner and operator Royal Dutch Shell earlier this year committed to drill the high impact Pensacola prospect.
"The commissioning of the site survey is a key part of the well planning process and represents an important milestone as the joint venture continues the preparatory works required in advance of the drilling of the high impact exploration well on the Pensacola prospect,” said Graham Swindells, Deltic chief executive.
“We look forward to continuing to progress through the planning phase towards drilling in May 2022."
Deltic estimates the Pensacola prospect contains gross P50 prospective resources of 309 billion cubic feet of gas, which makes Pensacola one of the highest impact exploration targets to be drilled in the gas basin in recent years.