Range Resources (LON:RRL, ASX:RRL) said drilling on a second well in Puntland, Somalia, has begun.
Shabeel North is targeting the Upper Cretaceous Jesomma sands where “good” oil and gas shows were uncovered by the original Shabeel well, 3.5 kilometers to the south.
This second Shabeel well is being drilled by Horn Petroleum, Range’s joint-venture partner.
David Grellman, Horn’s chief executive, said: "The Shabeel North well will test the same reservoirs that appear to be oil bearing in the nearby Shabeel well.
“We would expect similar or better reservoir thickness and quality as we move deeper into the basin.
“The results of this well should help us confirm the extent of the petroleum system in the basin and, if successful, would be another step towards proving the economic potential of the basin."
Petrophysical analysis of downhole electrical logs of the original Shabeel well pointed to a potential pay zone of 12 to 20 meters with an average porosity of 18 to 20 per cent.
It is planned to bring the rig back to the Shabeel location to test these sands to confirm their ability to flow oil once the drilling of the Shabeel North well is completed.
The planned total depth of the Shabeel North well is 2,400 meters and drilling is expected to take 45 to 60 days to complete.