By Ian Walker

LONDON--BP PLC (BP.LN) said Monday that drilling has started on a potential carboniferous gas play in southern North Sea block 43/26a that, if successful, could open up a new phase of development in the region.

The oil major, which has an 85% equity stake in the prospect, said the well will test the potential of a deep carboniferous age horizon several hundred meters beneath the mature reservoirs produced by the Ravenspurn ST2 platform.

-Write to Ian Walker at ian.walker@wsj.com; @IanWalk40289749

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

December 05, 2016 05:40 ET (10:40 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2016 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
BP (NYSE:BP)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2024 to Apr 2024 Click Here for more BP Charts.
BP (NYSE:BP)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2023 to Apr 2024 Click Here for more BP Charts.