ROC said operations started last week at the Errington-1 exploration wildcat well located in PEDL028 approximately 35km west of Newcastle in Northern England.

Errington-1, which is targeting a potentially large gas prospect, is expected to reach the first target horizon during the latter part of next month.

Doran said: "Like all wildcat exploration wells, Errington-1 is, statistically speaking, likely to be dry with the main risk being poor quality reservoir. However, the Errington structure is very large so that if gas is discovered, the field has the theoretical potential to be even larger than ROC's Saltfleetby gas field in Lincolnshire."

ROC holds 100% and is the operator of the permit.