ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Philippines B.V., an affiliate of ExxonMobil Corporation, has started drilling its first deepwater exploration well in the Philippines last October 11.
The firm said the Dabakan-1 well is being drilled under Philippine Department of Energy Service Contract 56 (SC-56).
The exploration acreage covers an area of 8,200 square kilometers and is about 900 kilometers southwest of Manila and 200 kilometers northwest of Bongao, the capital of Tawi-Tawi province.

The exploration drilling is being done using the Seadrill West Aquarius deepwater semi-submersible rig, which is designed to operate in water depths of up to 3,000 meters and has a maximum drilling depth of about 10,000 meters.

“SC-56 is part of the Philippine government's efforts to encourage investments in the energy sector. We are very pleased to be part of this effort to look for new energy resources in deepwater in the Sandakan Basin, South Sulu Sea,” ExxonMobil Philippines managing director Ian A. Fischer said

He added that ExxonMobil has a strong commitment to operations safety and integrity and to protecting the environment.

“These core values are embedded in the way we work and are implemented globally through our management systems. We have a proven track record of operating to the highest industry standards in all aspects of our business,” said Fischer.