Japex Starts Commercial Production of Shale Oil

Japan Petroleum Exploration Co (Japex) has successfully started full-scale commercial production of shale oil at the Onnagawa tight formation in Ayukawa oil and gas field in Akita Prefecture, the company said Monday.

The company had been conducting demonstration experiment and several flow tests since 2012 by utilizing an existing well of Kurosawa AK-1.

According to Japex full-scale commercial production of shale oil started at around 35 kl/day.

Japex will continue to pursue further opportunities to develop the Onnagawa tight formation in Ayukawa oil and gas field by acquiring data on commercial production of AK-1 well, including on its production behavior, and striving to obtain knowledge about the tight formation.

The company also said it would begin drilling for shale oil in Fukumezawa oil field in Akita from late May.

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