JAPEX to explore natural gas potential offshore Hokkaido

Japan Petroleum Exploration Co. Ltd. will conduct exploratory drilling to confirm the presence of natural gas and study future development potential of an area about 50 km offshore Japan in the Hidaka area of Hokkaido.

The project will be conducted about 5 km northwest of exploratory drilling operations performed in 2019 in about 1,070 m of water. While collecting data from the location, JAPEX will conduct a production test on the geological formation, which indicates the presence of natural gas, the company said. The survey period is March-May 2026.

JAPEX has been analyzing and evaluating data obtained from the 2019 exploratory drilling in the area commissioned by the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy of the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (ANRE) for exploration potential.

The exploration project has been selected by ANRE for subsidization. Up to 50% of the drilling costs will be supported with public funds.