AFREN Nigeria, and its partner, Oriental Energy Resources, has announced the commencement of drilling at the Ebok-Five well, offshore South -east Nigeria.  Following this, the two parties had signed a rig contract with Transocean for the Adriatic IX jack-up drilling rig. The first drilling phase has commenced with the spudding of the Ebok-5 appraisal well.
The commencement of drilling follows recent announcement of extension of the partnership between Oriental and Afren to include the Okwok field, adjacent to Ebok, significantly increasing the resource potential of the greater Ebok - Okwok complex.
Afren currently plans to drill one commitment well at Okwok in mid 2010, and is engaged in studies to determine the optimal well location and field development concept, maximising on the Ebok development synergies.
Alhaji Mohammed Indimi, Chairman of Oriental said, “We are delighted that drilling operations have commenced at the Ebok field, representing an important milestone towards the successful delivery of one of the largest independent oil developments to date in Nigeria. 
“Having recently welcomed our partner Afren, to participate in the appraisal and development of the nearby Okwok field, we look forward to firstly establishing Ebok as a production hub and replicating this success at Okwok, whilst continuing to pursue other suitable development opportunities in the surrounding area”. 
Speaking on the development, Egbert Imomoh, chairman of Afren, said having secured a drilling unit at competitive rate, we are pleased to be entering the drilling phase at Ebok.  By establishing early production at Ebok, we will achieve a strong foothold in a prolific hydrocarbon producing region, which will form the basis for further growth in the area.  This will enable us to capitalise on synergies from the nearby Okwok field appraisal and development, and continue to pursue other opportunities in the surrounding area within the framework of our collaboration agreement with Oriental.”