Northern Petroleum plc has commenced drilling operations on the La Tosca-1 well, targeting a 43-billion-cu-ft gross mean prospective resource gas prospect.

The well will evaluate the exploration potential of a gas prospect mapped from 3-D seismic on the Longastrino permit in the prolific gas fairway of the Eastern Po Valley Basin, Italy.The La Tosca prospect is being drilled using HDI Leonardo Drillmec HH220 rig and is expected to take up to forty days to reach total depth. 

Northern's share of the well costs will be largely borne by its joint venture partner Orca Exploration Group Inc.