Atlantic Petroleum reports that the 20/2a-8 Blackbird exploration well on license P.317 has been spud. The is located approximately 5 kilometers south of the Ettrick Field in 371 feet of water in the UK North Sea.

The well will test an Upper Jurassic Ettrick sandstone target. The well will also test a deeper Upper Jurassic Buzzard aged sandstone target. The well is being drilled by Transocean's GSF Arctic IV semisub.

Partners in the license are Nexen as operator with 79.73%; Bow Valley 12% and Atlantic Petroleum with 8.27%.

Commenting on the well, Wilhelm Petersen, Managing Director of P/F Atlantic Petroleum said" "Atlantic Petroleum is looking forward to drilling the Blackbird well, as the first of potentially three exploration wells in 2008. Success at this location should lead to a rapid development as a tie back to the Ettrick Field, which is due to come on stream in mid 2008."

Tags: Atlantic Petroleum