West Capella Rig begins 40-50 day operation to secure Rock Samples for Oil and Gas Presence

The West Capella drilling rig, part of the “Daewang Whale” deep-sea gas and oil field development project in the East Sea, commenced full-scale exploratory drilling early morning on Dec. 20. The Korea National Oil Corp. (KNOC) announced that the drilling began at the Daewang Whale structure, located approximately 40 km off the coast of Pohang.

The West Capella drilling rig, operated by Seadrill, arrived in Busan on Dec. 9. After loading the necessary equipment, the rig departed Busan on the night of Dec. 16 and reached the first drilling site on the morning of Dec. 17. Following preparatory work, including test drilling of the nearby seabed, full-scale drilling commenced on Dec. 20.

The drilling is expected to proceed for 40-50 days, during which KNOC plans to drill a borehole to a depth of over 1 km below the seabed of the continental shelf. The primary objective is to secure rock samples to determine the presence of oil and gas at the coordinates. The results of the first borehole drilling will be officially announced in the first half of next year.

Kim Dong-seob, president of KNOC, emphasized the significance of this drilling operation. “This drilling is significant as it will confirm the presence of oil and gas and establish future exploration directions based on this. We will ensure that the drilling proceeds without any setbacks,” he stated.

The Daewang Whale project is a crucial part of South Korea’s broader strategy to enhance energy security and reduce dependence on imported energy. KNOC, a state-owned enterprise, plays a vital role in the exploration, development, and production of oil and gas resources in the country. Successful exploration in the East Sea could lead to increased domestic production, job creation, and economic growth, contributing to the overall prosperity of South Korea.

Source : Businesskorea