Russian oil firm Lukoil Overseas has started drilling in deep water off the coast of Sierra Leone.
The company is drilling the Savannah prospect on Block SL-5-11, using the semisubmersible Eirik Raude drilling rig, in more than 2000m water depth.
Lukoil, operator, holds 49%, Oranto (Nigeria) has 30%, and PanAtlantic has 21%.
Block SL-5-11 covers 4022sq km on the shelf and continental slope of the Atlantic Ocean.
Image: The Eirik Raude drilling rig