The company confirmed drilling of the Antelope-4 appraisal well in petroleum retention licence 15 was underway.

Antelope-4 is the first of at least two appraisal wells planned on the Antelope field.

The well lies about 1km south of Antelope-2 and is the most southern well in the Elk-Antelope field.

Antelope-5, the second appraisal well in the licence, is expected to be drilled later this year.

Antelope-4 will test the southern extremity of the Antelope field and Antelope-5 will test the western front.

The wells will provide key information for certification of the Elk-Antelope field and for continued planning of a potential two-train LNG development, which includes concept selection, basis of design and front-end engineering and design.

Certification is expected to be completed in 2015.