UK based Salamander Energy has commenced the drilling on its Dao Ruang-2 appraisal well in block L15/50 in north east Thailand.

The Dao Ruang-2 well will be drilled to approximately 1,670m by using the MB Century 26 rig.

The well will target a fracture network in the Pha Nok Khao Permian carbonate reservoir on the eastern flank of the structure.

The well is anticipated to take approximately 45 days to be completed on a dry hole basis.

Following the completion of the Dao Ruang-2 well, the rig will drill the Dao Ruang-3 appraisal well targeting a fracture network on the northwest flank of the structure.

The Asia-focused oil and gas firm Salamander has a 50% interest in, and is operator of, Block L15/50.

Salamander CEO James Menzies said that Dao Ruang-2 is the first well in the Khorat basin to be drilled using modern high resolution 3D imaging techniques to aid visualization of the fracture network.