Northern Petroleum Spuds Italy Well

Northern Petroleum Plc has commenced drilling operations on the La Tosca-1 well, targeting a 43 billion cubic feet of gross mean prospective resource gas prospect. The well will evaluate the exploration potential of a gas prospect mapped from 3D seismic on the Longastrino Permit. The well is situated within the prolific gas fairway of the Eastern Po Valley basin, with the Alfonsine gas field located in close proximity to the prospect.

The La Tosca prospect is being drilled using HDI Leonardo Drillmec HH220 rig and is expected to take up to forty days to reach total depth. Northern's share of the well costs will be largely borne by its joint venture partner Orca Exploration Group Inc.

"Northern looks forward to working with its partner Orca in the drilling of the La Tosca well. The prospect has been defined from the 3D seismic coverage," Managing Director of Northern Derek Musgrove commented.