Japanese explorer Inpex has started exploration well drilling offshore Shimane and Yamaguchi prefectures, Japan.
The well is being drilled as part of a project commissioned by Japan's Agency of Natural Resources and Energy of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's Heisei 26~28 Domestic Offshore Drilling Program in Japan.
In 2011, the Japanese government had covered the area with a seismic survey using the seismic survey vessel Shigen. In 2013, Inpex then conducted a 3D seismic survey in the area based on the earlier survey.
The drilling location is about 140km north of Yamaguchi Prefecture and about 130km northwest of Shimane Prefecture, in 210m water depth.
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