Irish oil and gas firm Providence Resources has begun drilling operations on the 48/24-J Barryroe appraisal well in the North Celtic Sea, offshore Ireland.

Work on the appraisal well is being carried out by the semi-submersible rig GSF Arctic III.

Drilling and testing programmes will take 60 days, and commercial flow rates of 1,800bopd from the vertical well will be demonstrated.

Providence operates Barryroe with a 50% interest, while partners San Leon Energy and Lansdowne Oil & Gas hold 30% and 20%, respectively.