BP, Perenco Start Southern North Sea Drilling
Monday 5 December 2016
Partners eye potential Carboniferous gas play that could lead to a new phase of development in the region.
Supermajor BP and French project partner Perenco have commenced drilling on a Carboniferous gas play in the southern North Sea region, work that could potentially open up a new phase of development.
BP said on Monday that, together with Perenco and minority partner Premier, it started work on a well on block 43/26a on the existing producing Ravenspurn field.
The new well will test the potential of a deep Carboniferous age horizon, several hundred metres beneath the mature reservoirs produced by the Ravenspurn ST2 platform.
“This play warrants further exploration as we know the reservoir sands exist. What we don’t know is whether, if gas is found, good long-term production can be proven from this deeply buried reservoir horizon,” BP North Sea regional president Mark Thomas said.
During the drilling and testing phase, Perenco - as operator of the existing producing field - will act as substitute operator on behalf of BP and the other licence owners.
“Oil & Gas Authority (OGA) has been encouraging Carboniferous appraisal and development in the southern North Sea area and we welcome BP and partners’ commitment to better understanding potential of this play,” OGA operations director Gunther Newcombe said.
“The outcome of this well could pave the way for future Carboniferous prospects in the southern North Sea as well as potentially extending the life of existing infrastructure, both of which are consistent with the OGA’s long term strategy,” Newcombe added.
BP holds an 85% equity stake in the prospect alongside licence partners Perenco (10%) and Premier (5%).