Due to spud today, the well is expected to take 40 days to reach total depth.

Anzon said Basker-6 was a conventional low-angle well being drilled in the southeastern part of the Basker field, with both development and appraisal objectives.

If successful, the well will be completed for future oil production.

Once the Ocean Patriot leaves, Anzon expects to mobilise an installation vessel to link the Basker-6 well to the existing facilities to begin producing through the Crystal Ocean FPSO in July.

Following Basker-6, the Ocean Patriot rig would have fulfilled its commitment to the BMG joint venture to drill six wells in the project area over the past two-and-a-half years.

It will then be released to Santos.

Anzon as operator holds a 40% stake in the BMG JV in partnership with Beach Petroleum, with 40% (reducing to 30%), and CIECO with 20%.