Westmount Energy Ltd (AIM:WTE) has noted the start of drilling for the Sapote-1 well, on the Canje Block, offshore Guyana.
The Exxon operated programme is using the Stena DrillMAX drillship and is expected to take 60 days to complete, with results expected in late October.
Sapote-1 is described as an independent multi-layer prospect, evaluating several Upper Cretaceous targets. It is the largest prospect drilled on the Canje block to date.
Westmount has an indirect interest in the venture via a shareholding in JHI Associates Inc, which is a minority partner in the Exxon project.
The AIM-quoted investor holds a 7.2% stake in JHI, which in turn has a 17.5% interest in the Canje Block.
Exxon is the operator and has a 35% stake in Canje alongside Total, which owns 35%, and Mid-Atlantic Oil & Gas Inc with the other 12.5%.