The Perth-based junior said operator Golden Eye Resources had started preparing the Egeberg-1 wellsite in Ward County for drilling to start later tonight (Central US time).

With a planned total depth of 6215 feet (1894m), Egeberg-1 is primarily targeting the Kisbey sandstone and has secondary potential in the Sherwood formation.

Drilling is expected to take between 10 and 12 days to reach total depth. It may be completed as a horizontal well depending on testing results.

Egeberg-1 is targeting 250,000-500,000 barrels of potential oil resources.

As well as North Dakota, Emerald also has interests in exploration projects in Texas and Western Australia’s Canning Basin.