Oil explorer Emerald Energy declared itself pleased with continued progress In the Capella field in the Ombu block in Colombia.Drilling operations have started on Capella No. SH1, the first of two slim-hole wells scheduled to be drilled in the Capella field.The well is planned to take up to one month to drill and evaluate. Drilling on the second slim-hole well will start when operations are completed on the first well.In the fourth quarter of 2009 the company will try out a steam injection and flow testing programme to determine whether it will enhance well production rates and ultimate recovery from the reservoir.The Capella field produced at an average oil rate of 255 barrels per day during the second quarter of 2009 and 284 barrels per day during July, with production levels remaining limited by market constraints, the company said.