Japan Petroleum Exploration Co., Ltd. (JAPEX) has highlighted exploratory drilling activities in the Hidaka offshore area in Hokkaido.
JAPEX completed exploratory drilling in the Hidaka area offshore Hokkaido on June 10, 2026. The company has been conducting the activity to confirm the presence of natural gas since March 24, 2026. The drilling rig that conducted the drilling work has been identified as Valaris 8504.
The operation was carried out based on the results of exploratory drilling operations that took place in the area in 2019, about 5 kilometers northwest of the site that had already been drilled about 50 kilometers offshore in the same area, at a water depth of 1,070 meters.
The Japanese company conducted exploratory drilling operations to a water depth of 1,900 metres, with the understanding and cooperation of the local community, including the fishing industry and the local government.
He added: “We tested the reservoir and identified indicators of the presence of natural gas during drilling. We confirmed the presence of natural gas in part of the reservoir and obtained geological data.” Jabex confirmed.
Exploration drilling has been selected by the Natural Resources and Energy Agency of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as a supported project under the “Geological Survey Support for Domestic Oil and Natural Gas in Fiscal Year 2024”.
According to the Japanese company, the volume of confirmed natural gas does not meet the standards “Instant Marketing.” However, JAPEX will analyze and evaluate the data obtained to consider the possibility of an exploration and development opportunity in the area.
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